Bridge plan moves ahead in city despite concerns

By Liudmyla Bortok

Cork’s councillors found themselves on opposite sides of a bridge that hasn’t even been designed yet—but it has already divided city councillors across the banks of the River Lee.

A proposed light rail bridge for the Cork Luas, connecting Kent Station to Kennedy Quay, sparked heated debate in City Hall at a full council meeting on Monday.

Despite the disagreement, councillors approved the necessary changes to the Cork City Development Plan.

One key concern raised was whether the bridge—viewed as a central ambition of the city’s development strategy—would obstruct maritime transport on the River Lee.

Fine Gael (FG) Cllr Des Cahill submitted an amendment calling for references to the bridge to be removed and for alternative routes to be explored. He stressed the need for further consultation and investigation: “It may all go back to the bridge, but we don’t have to make this decision now.”

Independent Ireland Cllr Noel O’Flynn said the project needs to move forward: “25 years ago I stood in this very chamber and proposed what was then regarded as audacious—the regeneration of Cork’s docklands.”

He reaffirmed his continued support: “I’m committed to the vision still.”

Green Party Cllr Dan Boyle argued the concerns raised were based on “unjustified fear”.

Sinn Féin Cllr Joe Lynch stated: “It’s been known for a long time that bridges would be necessary to open up the potential of the docklands.”

Ultimately, the proposed variation that omitted mention of the bridge was not approved.

Speaking to the Cork Independent, Fianna Fáil Cllr Colm Kelleher said: “The docklands is something that's been kicked for a quarter of a century. We now have money ring-fenced from Government for the first time ever, so as a local authority we cannot be seen to be putting impediments in place against a flagship development within the city.”

FG Cllr Damian Boylan added: “I am somebody who has sailed in the past and I have a family who are a maritime family, so the idea of operation of the upper parts of the river not being available to maritime traffic is a concern to me. Albeit I said that I was fully supportive of the variation. I think that the money is now there, the opportunity is there for Cork and we should just grasp it with both hands now and move on.”

Another issue raised was the future of the Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery whose base at Horgan’s Quay.

Assistant Chief Executive of Cork City Council, Brian Geaney, said they would not be left without a home. “We will work together to find new premises. That will happen, with engagement already lined up on Wednesday week.”

Councillors voted 28 to one, with one abstention, to approve the variation of the development plan.

This plan will guide delivery of a major transformation in Cork’s docklands, including public spaces, roads, parks, and cultural infrastructure. The vision is to create a compact, sustainable riverside neighbourhood with up to 10,000 new homes and 25,000 jobs.

This article was produced with the support of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme funded by Coimisiún na Meán.