One Way System – Crosshaven?
Renewed Call For One-way System – Crosshaven By Hugh Coveney Pier
Writes Leo McMahon
A renewed call for a traffic study for Crosshaven similar to that done for Kinsale was made by cathaoirleach Aidan Lombard (FG) and supported at the monthly meeting of Cork County Council’s Bandon-Kinsale Municipal District (MD) held at Camden Fort Meagher, Crosshaven where he also called for a one-way system by Hugh Coveney Pier. An email from the council’s traffic and transportation section in response to a motion from Cllr Lombard in May confirmed that the development of a transportation strategy or similar type study for Crosshaven village was not on its work programme.
‘I already knew that. To get it on the programme is what my original motion asked for’, commented Cllr Lombard. ‘The traffic and transportation section was asked to look at the possibility of a one-way system at Hugh Coveney Pier, (where there is an upper and lower road over a short section), and said it was unworkable. However, the community in Crosshaven had a one way system for Volvo Cork Week which was absolutely perfect, involving half a dozen cones and two arrows and had the support of the Gardai. It was absolutely flawless with people out at tables and chairs along the street.’
Cllr Lombard suggested the MD write to the section highlighting the need for a transportation study for Crosshaven because the present system wasn’t functioning the way it should and with zoning for more housing, traffic would increase. He also queried if anyone from County Hall had called to the village and what effort was being put in. Executive engineer Mark Daly of the Carrigaline area office, which is not part of the transportation section, said he did call to the scene. The context would be different during Volvo Week but even then an articulated lorry leaving the pier could not turn using a one way system.
Cllr Lombard said he was told there was usually a maximum two articulated lorries leaving the pier each week and he believed one part of the one way section could be two-way to enable a turn right leaving the pier entrance for such vehicles.
He urged public consultation on the call for a traffic study and in particular a one way system by the pier because he believed the argument that it didn’t work was wrong. If this happened, the streetscape and footpaths could be improved there which is what the community desired. He proposed the MD write to the transportation section seeking this and for the scene to be re-visited. Cllr Gillian Coughlan (FF) spoke in support asking that the importance of tourism to the locality be borne in mind.
Senior executive officer MacDara O Hici said different criteria applied between a temporary and long term one way system but Cllr Lombard said it was his information the Gardai favoured the latter. Cllr Coughlan asked that funding be sought for lighting along the popular public greenway between Crosshaven and Carrigaline following the course of the former railway line. There is lighting on the path between Passage West and Rochestown. Cllr Alan Coleman (Ind) spoke in support and also suggested a boardwalk to the bridge at Carrigaline to improve access to the walkway while Cllr Lombard asked for further maintenance of the walkway, especially the hedges.