Writes JJ Hurley
Belgooly is set for a major facelift as Cork County Council reveals a three-phased plan to transform the village. The news came following a press release from the local authority detailing the plan.
In the communication, a spokesperson for Cork County Council said, 'Significant active travel works which will be funded by the National Transport Authority for Belgooly village were presented to Elected Members of Cork County Council's Bandon Kinsale Municipal District recently.
The plans presented relate to phase one of a potential three-phase project for the village of Belgooly and relate principally to proposed traffic-calming and pedestrian improvement works along the main spine of the town on the busy R600
Phase 1 plans will create a 3m shared footpath from the northern end of the village along the R600 as far as a new raised junction layout at the Ballyfeard/Riverbank intersection at the village's southern end. The works will also improve pedestrian access from the Meadows, Aldergrove and Cluain An Oir estates to the village and create a pedestrian footpath to link Cramers Close to the village.
Furthermore, the existing pedestrian crossing on the R600 will be upgraded to a raised controlled pedestrian crossing, and a further similar crossing will be installed at the village's southern end. The proposed measures along the R600 will reduce traffic speeds within the village and improve pedestrian safety and usability.
Phase 2 of the project will cover the works from the Aughafantaun bridge up to and including the national school area. These Phase 2 works will seek Section 38 or Part 8 (whichever is applicable) approval when a design has been developed and when funding has been approved.
Phase 3 of the project will cover works from the R600 to Riverbank and the GAA grounds. These Phase 3 works will seek Section 38 or Part 8 (whichever is applicable) approval at a later stage once funding has been approved.
The Section 38 plans for Phase 1 will be available for inspection by the public online and in the Kinsale Area Office P17KX39 in the coming weeks. Details of same and how submissions can be made will be advertised shortly.'
For Belgooly Residents' Association Network, who have sought the proposed works over the past six years, it has been something of an early Christmas present, as they had worked tirelessly to advance their campaign.
Also welcoming the development was Cllr Sean O’Donovan. He said, 'It was welcome news, as Belgooly had been waiting long enough. It will be a considerable investment in the village, making it safer for residents.'
Following the announcement, Cllr Alan Coleman said, 'I am delighted the project has come this far now and welcome the positive public reaction to it, and we will be organising a public meeting in Belgooly to explain everything in the plan.
Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan said, 'Incredible good news for Belgooly, as we know the population of Belgooly has increased, and it needs to be connected to the main services, and this project will provide that connectivity.'
Finally, the current chairperson of the Bandon/Kinsale Municipal Area, Cllr Marie O'Sullivan, also deemed the news a positive development.
She said, 'I really welcome the proposed works and improvements of the public realm in Belgooly. Unfortunately, Belgooly has been starved of any significant infrastructure development recently. So it is great to see the ambitious project coordinated by our Senior Executive engineer Richard Cahill and our local area engineer Oliver Forbes supported by their team.'