Mixed reaction to new proposals
Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central, Thomas Gould, expressed his support for the proposals and emphasised the role communities have played in its development.
“The plan has completely transformed from initial proposals – many of which were not feasible and wouldn’t have had the desired impact. I would argue that most of these changes have only been possible thanks to the engagement by communities in Cork.”
He also called on the NTA to consider extending the public engagement period for the final phase of the consultation.
Deputy Lord Mayor and Green Party Cllr Collette Finn said that the new proposals are an opportunity to move toward a sustainable future. “I do hope broad agreement can be achieved because we do need to change how we move around and BusConnects is our best attempt so far to achieve this,” she told the Cork Independent.
“The cycle lanes along the Model Farm Road which will prove very useful especially for students accessing primary, secondary and tertiary schools living in Ballincollig and Bishopstown.
“This allows for a greater degree of safe travel for our young people and will hopefully encourage more students to travel independently to school.” she said.
Dr Eoin Lettice, who is a lecturer at the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences at UCC, criticised the mapping of trees along the Blackpool to City route, and says there will be a significant loss of trees if current proposals are to be implemented.
“Unfortunately the impact on trees has got much worse. In total, the plans indicate 32 trees along the route, 21 of which will be removed. A loss of 67%. This is up from 23% in the last plan. 1 single tree will be planted as part of STC C in Blackpool,” he said on X (formerly Twitter).
He expressed doubts about the accuracy of the tree mapping in the plans, suggesting that not all trees slated for removal have been mapped, and requested a comprehensive tree survey to be conducted alongside the plans, but said no such survey has been forthcoming.
Cork Commuter Coalition, an advocacy group promoting public transport and sustainable mobility in Cork city said it was disappointing to see cuts in the scope of BusConnects.
“This round sees removal of necessary bus priority through and around Ballincollig - on what is planned to be the highest demand route through the city. Important elements are also removed elsewhere, including bus gates in Blackpool and Togher,” a spokesperson said.
However they did note that the scheme will provide much needed improvement, reduce bus times, and increase reliability. “It is important to do it once and do it right, rather than to be looking back in a decade and seeing that BusConnects hasn’t gone far enough to halt road deaths, to fight climate change, or to improve the lives of ordinary Corkonians,” they added.