Writes Ciaran Dineen
The ‘Part 8’ development consultation for the works planned at Ballinrea Road and Ashgrove Roundabout remain open for public submissions until Friday 5th June. Observations with respect to the proposed development, dealing with proper planning and sustainable development of the area, may be made either online or in writing to the Senior Engineer.
Ballinrea Road and Ashgrove Roundabout will require significant redesign ahead of the opening of the 3-school campus, the construction of which should recommence on May 18th, located adjacent to the Carrigcourt and Carrig na Curra residential estates.
The proposal is primarily focused on providing an increase in safety measures for pedestrians, while also encouraging people to travel around the area by cycling, with significant provisions being made for cycle lanes. However, works are set to affect all commuters travelling in and out of Carrigaline. The majority of the design focuses on the Ashgrove Roundabout and access from all three roads around it.
It was reported that there will be a widening of lanes on approach to the roundabout and the division of the lanes will be made further down the road, meaning that this should result in a longer split between cars travelling through the roundabout and those who turn-off to the left.
Plans outline that there will be five controlled crossings with pedestrian lights between Cork Road, Ashgrove Roundabout and Ballinrea Road. The first of these crossings will be outside the Heron’s Wood bus stops, allowing people to cross the road safely. Footpaths will also be constructed and will continue down towards the roundabout and then right towards Ballinrea Road. A further three crossings will all be placed on the three roads adjacent to the roundabout, but will be placed slightly further down than where the current island crossings exist.
A two-way cycle lane will also be implemented on the Carrigmore and Carrigcourt side of the Ballinrea road, which will go from the Ashgrove Roundabout all the way up towards the three-school campus. Further provision has been made for the establishment of a controlled crossing near the entrance to the Dún Eoin estate, again highlighting the need to cater for the high number of students who will be enrolling in the schools around the area. Engineers did say at a Municipal District Meeting in late 2019 that some of the trees along the green space within the site would have to be removed, but that for every tree lost another will be planted in further available space.
While works to Ballinrea Cross are not included in this planning permission, Cork County Council have received additional funding from the National Transport Authority, as a result of further changes to the initial design, allowing the Council to begin their planning procedure on the precarious crossroads.
If you would like to see examples of the designs to Ballinrea Road and Ashgrove Roundabout please follow this link, where additional information on making submissions and observations is also made available. https://www.corkcoco.ie/en/Planning%20/Part%208%20Development%20Consultation/active-part-8-development-consultation