The Draft plan is very detailed and well considered and full credit must be given to all those involved and who made submissions. You can view the full plan in an interactive way here Our interest obviously is in the Owenabue Bridge Crossing element of the Transport Strategy (Strategy 8) and the elements considered in deeming Strategy 7 as the preferred one. We would like to hear the thoughts of those interested in this so we can fully form our own response. The key points of our initial thoughts are as follows:
These are just initial thoughts and questions and we would be very grateful if you could let us know what you think and if there are other issues which we have not considered. Please add as comments below and/or email to owenabuebc@gmail.com You can download and read the full Draft Plan as a PDF below ![]()
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Download the Draft Plan below to read and consider. You can also view interactive displays in the virtual exhibition room here Comments on the draft proposals can be submitted through the virtual exhibition room; through the submissions portal on www.yourcouncil.ie; by email to trafficandtransport@corkcoco.ie or; in writing to Senior Engineer, Cork County Council, Traffic and Transportation, Planning and Development, Floor 11, County Hall, Cork. ![]()
For Boats to Crosshaven Boxes with Horses to Maryville Stables Bottles to PepsiCo Bags of spuds from Griffins in Boycestown to Tesco Bathers from the City to Fountainstown Bass from Good Fish to Douglas Bosuns from Forest Hill to the Naval Base Builders from Mallow to Castle Heights Bands from everywhere to gigs in Cronins Bluelights from the Coastguard Station to CUH Bike riders from French Furze to Curraghbinny Battle buffs to re-enactments in Camden Buyers from Shanbally to shops in Carrigaline Brigades for fires in Barnahealy Business folk to Green Rebel Marine Board Paddlers to Funkytown Buses from Ringaskiddy to Cork Airport Bernard from Kilmoney to the Maritime College Beatriz from Myrtleville to Pfizers Barry from Templebreedy to Ballincollig Blaithín from Monkstown to the Primary Care Centre Baz from Minane Bridge to Novartis as well as Buns from Hassetts Bakery in Kilnagleary to Blackpool - it would mean that the journey will be a lot easier via the Owenabue Estuary Bridge. What would it mean for you? Note some elements of this map are approximate ![]()
As we await consultation on the new transport study for Carrigaline/Crosshaven early in the New Year, it is hoped that an intrinsic flaw in the design of the M28 motorway for both towns will be addressed in any emerging plan. The M28 plan only provides for direct access to/from North Carrigaline (North of the Owenabue). It does not take into account that for access to National Routes, the City and the Ringaskiddy industrial area, Crosshaven is connected to South Carrigaline and their combined transport needs are not facilitated by the proposed connectivity. There is no direct connection to the M28 for the growing populations of Crosshaven and South Carrigaline and this represents a major shortcoming which must be taken into account in any proposed transport plan for the area. People will be very familiar with the towns of Ballincollig, Carrigtwohill, Fermoy, Mitchelstown etc which are all connected to bypasses or motorways. If you think about it, each one of these has more than 1 direct link to their bypass or adjacent motorway to ensure that different areas of the towns have access as appropriate. North, South, East & West sides of these towns have a connection and one only has to look at the new Macroom bypass currently under construction to see a connection for the town on both sides of the river and the construction of a bridge to ensure viable access. This is not the case for South Carrigaline & Crosshaven whose residents can only connect to vital travel links by going through the centre of Carrigaline itself;- battling with increasing traffic and congestion which is only set to increase more over the coming years with new house construction and jobs growth on the South side of the Owenabue Estuary. As the largest town in the County, Carrigaline & it's connected town, Crosshaven, deserve at least the same as other County towns. Remedial improvements with new feeder roads inside Carrigaline, planned more than a decade ago and just happening now, will provide some internal relief but will not address the issue for those who live & work South of the Estuary. We believe that the Owenabue Estuary Bridge Crossing proposal will deliver the necessary transport connection to National Routes, the City & Ringaskiddy by connecting across the Estuary with the planned intersection on the M28 at Barnahealy. We are not suggesting that improvements to our proposed design and the exact location of the crossing cannot be made but, a crossing to the East of Carrigaline to facilitate Crosshaven & South Carrigaline is the only viable correction to the M28 design flaw and solution to the related transport & access needs of these areas into the foreseeable future. Of course, not only will this relieve traffic congestion and improve access but so also will it support growth, employment and open new valuable amenities in both the Carrigaline & Crosshaven areas. We would hope that County Officials & Public Representatives currently considering a new transport study for the area, will consider these issues and the proposed solution carefully. Proposal for an Owenabue Estuary Bridge to categorically end Carrigaline & Crosshaven traffic congestion, enhance public safety & allow sustainable growthThis idea would link the R612 (Carrigaline - Crosshaven – Fountainstown Roads) with the R613 (Carrigaline – Ringaskiddy Road). This gives direct access to the M28 via a slip road at Warrens Cross, Barnahealy for traffic from Kinsale, South Carrigaline and Crosshaven catchment areas. With significant population growth in Carrigaline and the construction of many new houses and schools which were all unforeseen when the Carrigaline Western Relief Road was proposed, this bridge project will alleviate and bypass associated growing congestion and provide quicker access for communities South of the Owenabue River to the M28, away from the proposed Shannon Park slip road. This will be vital for the continued growth of Carrigaline as the largest town in the County after the extension of Cork City. Regionally, the Bridge project helps to satisfy the aims of the Cork Harbour makeover project, linking more elements of the harbour and providing easier access to the Port and associated industries in the Strategic Employment Area on the Ringaskiddy peninsula. Cork County Council’s Business Park at Kilnagleary, Carrigaline will become part of the Port Strategic Area; - enjoying easier heavy goods vehicle, customer and employee access in both directions and, thereby, supporting employment and commercial growth with a significantly reduced carbon footprint. Direct access from the M28, the Ferry Port and the Cross River Ferry at Passage West will support easier transit for camper vans, caravans, horse boxes, towed boats and sports teams to Kinsale, Crosshaven, South Carrigaline, and to the growing Maryville Equestrian Centre in Knockalurgan, Carrigaline. By means of both cycle and pedestrian lanes, the popular Carrigaline - Crosshaven Greenway (Railway Walk) will be extended by the bridge towards the Ringaskiddy Martello Tower and potentially, in time, all the way to Currabinny Woods. Cyclists will also have access via the bridge to planned cyclist facilities along the 13km of the new M28 motorway. Nationally, the bridge itself, with its unique design, will become a recognisable landmark. Using advanced techniques to ensure minimal environmental impact during and after construction, this project will also deliver a new public parkland recreation & amenity island which is sympathetic to, and a focal point for, the Owenabue Estuary special protection bird trail area. This is likely to become a reference point as part of the Ireland’s Ancient East tourist area. It will enhance the tourism value to Carrigaline & Crosshaven; - especially as part of the, Cobh - Spike Island – Fort Camden Maritime & Military History triangle. Key Features of the project include:
Update Nov 2020 With the 80 new offshore wind related jobs planned for Crosshaven, it will be even more vital that this bridge project be realised to allow easy access for works, goods & services to & from the village. |