Writes Leo McMahon
Motions aimed at protecting the beach and road and enhancing the walkway at Point Road, Crosshaven were moved by Cllrs Audrey Buckley (FF) and Michael Paul Murtagh (FG) at the monthly meeting of the county council’s Carrigaline Municipal District (MD).
‘It has been reported recently that funding for greenways made available in 2021 has gone unspent and there are substantial monies available this year for greenways,’ said Cllr Murtagh. ‘I propose the MD apply for funding from the Department of the Environment and Rural Development to create a walkway below Point Road between the Point Garden and Thunder Rock’.
Cllr Murtagh said there had been a lot of talk about ‘Pathfinder Programme’ funding from the Dept of Transport which could possibly be explored to having an outer walkway or a wider Point Road in the direction of the attraction that is Camden Fort Meagher. It could also help to tackle coastal erosion. MD officer Carol Conway said she would enquire about the programme.
Cllr Buckley in her motion, asked when gabion baskets on the Point beach would be restored or replaced. ‘I would also ask that we look into the undermining of the Point Road by large trucks accessing it from the many large building projects,’ adding that there was a new application for further development.
She said she recently pointed out the area of concern to engineers including the gabion baskets needing repair, and from the beach, cracks below the road. She hoped the council’s engineer for coastal erosion would contact the Office of Public Works because it needed addressing before it started collapsing, adding that long running development works involving heavy vehicles on Point Road was becoming a nightmare for residents.
Senior engineer Alan Cogan said a meeting was held recently between the Non National Roads Design Office and MD area office. It was not a road issue but had been referred to the council’s coastal protection unit. There were no current issues with the existing road.
Cllr Buckley had a motion asking when solar lights on the surface of the greenway would be installed from Rabbit Island, Drake’s Pool and further along the Crosshaven Railway Walk/Greenway.
She was informed that the area engineer had contacted the supplier who had confirmed that the lights were now in stock and should be installed during October or November. Cllr Buckley welcomed this.
In a motion, Cllr Murtagh asked if the MD could facilitate elected members visiting schools as part of a campaign to encourage walking and cycling to school safely in its area.
The MD officer said she would contact the council’s Road Safety Officer adding that there is a Safe Route to School Programme.
Arising out of a motion on this from Cllr Buckley at the previous meeting, Cllr Marcia D’Alton (Ind) enquired about better utilisation by the Port of Cork of Hugh Coveney Pier, Crosshaven for parking and boat access. Cllr Buckley reported a positive response locally to her motion on this seeking better access for the public and boat users.
She repeated her call for two poles which were still in the middle of the footpath outside The Oar Bar, Crosshaven seven months after improvement works to be removed. The engineer assured her this matter was being pursued with the ESB.
Cllr Murtagh suggested that a directional sign for Camden Fort Meagher at the bottom of Brightwater would be better relocated near Hugh Coveney Pier. The engineer undertook to do this.
Cllr Buckley again called on the National Transport Authority for additional bus shelters for Crosshaven adding that some bus poles and signs were covered in overgrowth.