Cork from a height

Here's an issue Red Mick could get his teeth stuck into. A number of Corpo bods are flogging a zany idea for a San Francisco style cable car to travel up and down St Patrick's Hill as part of a city tourist attraction. The idea doesn't make sense as the cable car won't work by cable and will be nothing more than a disguised petrol propelled bus. In fact the only people likely to use it will be the over-fat kids attending St Angela's or Bruce College.

But there's now a rumour going the rounds. It's this: A chap who owns a field at the top wants to build an 'observation tower' that would give the tourists magnificent views of the city. Included, of course, are plans for flats, shops, an off licence, etc etc. But the only spot with such advantages is the high ground at the top of St Patrick's Hill that offers magnificent vistas as far as the eye can see -a bird's eye view, in fact, of the city, including St Finbarre's Cathedral, the Mercy Hospital, the river Lee and UCC. It features in many photographs of Cork, and in Butt's famous painting. The field should be left as it is. Not desecrated. We don't want an 'observation tower' plus shops, flats, etc etc. Our own eyeballs will do the trick quite nicely, thanks very much.

Marina madness

Meanwhile in Cobh the local politicos are busy pushing for An Bord Pleanála to speed up their decision on the proposed marina -which sounds ominous given the local council's disgraceful treatment of the unique Victorian seaside town. They gutted the centre by allowing the commercial heart to be ripped out and relocated in shopping centres in isolated sprawling suburbs. They've provided totally inadequate parking facilities for those who venture into the town, and the place is blighted by empty,decaying buildings.

Now they're promoting an Ascon Rohcon plan that will build 150 flats, a pub, shops and retail units in the heart of the historic Holy Ground area. The developers are selling the idea by means of a marina that the politicos say will entice the tourists. But outside of seriously damaging the visual amenities and creating a physical monstrosity that will be out of character with the rest of Cobh, the project will contribute to appalling traffic congestion, as any visitor can attest to, having experienced a Sunday afternoon sojourn in the place. It has all the signs of 'get-rich-quick' wheeze.

The Bord deferred making a final decision on five occasions. They should now throw it into the sea.

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