Carrigaline Road Contract:
Cork County Council has just awarded the construction contract for the delivery of the Carrigaline Western Relief Road to the Dutch-based BAM construction corporation. The awarding of the contract follows the Council’s successful securing of €6.4 million under the Urban Regeneration & Development Fund from Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. BAM will mobilise in the coming weeks, with a view to commencing construction in early April. It is envisaged that the construction of the road will take 18 months to complete.
Proposal: The Carrigaline Western Relief Road as an infrastructure development is proposed as a traffic congestion relief measure on Carrigaline's Main Street and to facilitate the ongoing development of the town, (the largest in Cork County Council’s Area of remit). The Western Relief Road will be 750 metres in length and will include a bridge to cross the Owenabue River.
“This critical development in Carrigaline will greatly enhance the accessibility and potential for growth of this urban location. Carrigaline is full of potential, being home to a strong business and social community. The town has changed a lot over the past two decades, with some much-welcomed amenities added for the large population. The completion of this project will signal a new stage in Carrigaline’s development, ensuring its bright future.”
Cork County Mayor, Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley
“As the largest urban area in our remit, Cork County Council is committed to ensuring the that Carrigaline and its people will be able to maximise the amenity and economic value of the town. By providing relief to traffic congestiocrossing n and enhancing accessibility to the town’s Main Street, Carrigaline can enter a new stage in its development. The Council will continue to work alongside residents and businesses to ensure that we achieve our shared goals of making Carrigaline a great place for its residents and for future investment.”
Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey
The Carrigaline Western Relief Road will be 750 metres in length and will include a new bridge to cross over the Owenabue River. The road will open up lands for development adjacent to the Main Street, Carrigaline.
Rezoning:
In a connected development, an 8 week public consultation period ran from last December 21st 2020 until February 8th 2021. Any submissions were to be made in line with the issues discussed within the Proposed Amendment No 1 Planning Report.
Also, Cork City Council proposed to make an amendment to the Ballincollig Carrigaline Municipal District Local Area Plan 2017 under Section 20 (c) of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 and Section 30. 4 (b) of the Local Government Act 2019. The purpose of the proposed amendment is to facilitate residential development in this area. The proposed alteration consists of material changes to the Ballincollig Carrigaline Municipal District Local Area Plan 2017.
2012 New Town Centre Plan:
In 2012, property company Piton Properties, had proposed a new town centre plan which included a relief road along a different route. However, the co. council's preferred option was agreed after a funding commitment was secured from the Department of Transport. Piton Properties then sought a judicial review on certain aspects of the town’s local area plan. An arbitration hearing in relation to the compulsory purchase order of land relating to Piton Properties was to take place in April 2012, with a court hearing.
Council officials then informed local public representatives that they were at an advanced stage of negotiation with the company. Although a formal agreement not signed, the council agreed in principle to a partial deferral of the settlement payable to Piton Properties, in return for a commitment by the council to complete the construction of the Carrigaline Western Relief Road by September 2014.
However, the process of planning and construction of this road begins at this point, and seems to be regarded as a given. Meanwhile, Cork County Council has prepared a draft Transportation and Public Realm Enhancement Plan (TPREP) for Carrigaline, which is one of the busiest commuter towns in the country.
Sources:
Carrigaline Western Relief Road - https://www.corkcoco.ie/en/news/construction-contract-awarded-carrigaline-western-relief-road
BAM awarded Carrigaline Western Relief Road contract -
Proposed Amendment No 1 Ballincollig Carrigaline MD Local Area Plan 2017 -
€15m road to ease Carrigaline’s ‘chronic’ traffic -
Draft Transportation and Public Realm Enhancement Plan (TPREP) -