PRESS RELEASE: Funding for new Cycleway between Carrigaline and Crosshaven approved

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From the Department of Transport...

Funding for new Cycleway between Carrigaline and Crosshaven approved by Dempsey

2 October 2009

Today the Minister for Transport, Mr Noel Dempsey; T.D., announced that €393,763.00 is being made available by the Department of Transport to Cork Co Council to upgrade, resurface and widen an existing walkway between Carrigaline to Crosshaven. This will allow for a combined pedestrian walk and cycleway on this route and it will make cycling a viable, safe alternative transport route for those commuting between Carrigaline and Crosshaven. It will create an attractive recreational route that can tie in with the new cycle network already approved earlier this summer for Carrigaline.

It is anticipated that this new cycleway between Carrigaline and Crosshaven will be completed before the end of the year.

Speaking today Minister Dempsey said; "The delivery of this new 5.4 kilometres cycleway between Carrigaline and Crosshaven is another important step in delivering a National Cycle Network in Ireland. This off-road cycleway will offer those who commute regulatory between Carrigaline and Crosshaven a new, healthier and safe way to travel.

We already know that nationally over 200,000 people drive less than 4km to work every day. Investing in safe, attractive cycling and walking facilities will help to encourage more people out of their cars, particularly for short journeys. Carrigaline is one of the most car-dependent areas in Ireland with 74% of its inhabitants commuting by car to work so there is a lot of room for improvement. This announcement follows the recent success of National Bike Week in June and the announcement of funding for other new walking and cycling routes around the country."

The existing Carrigaline to Crosshaven Walk was established along the old Carrigaline to Crosshaven railway line. The walk was surfaced, completed and officially opened in 2000. Along the walk are picnic areas, seating, railway memorabilia and wildlife viewing points. The 5 km walk follows the saltwater course of the Owenbue Estuary towards Crosshaven and on to Cork Harbour. It is already well used by many local people.

It is now proposed to upgrade, resurface and widen this path to allow for a combined pedestrian walk and cycleway. This will make cycling a viable alternative transport route for those commuting between Carrigaline and Crosshaven and will link in with the proposed Carrigaline Cycleway.

The path commences at the Kilnaglery Car Park and ends at the Royal Cork Yacht Club (the oldest sailing club in the world). It is a recognized Slí na Sláinte Route.

corkandproud

If there was any road in the area that was very safe to cycle it's the Crosshaven Road. Good surface, good margins, good driver behavior.

I'm up and down this road a few times every night I go out and never once had an issue with motorists.

I'm thinking the funding could be better spent elsewhere.

corkandproud

The existing path is already used by quite a few cyclists.

It's also used by families with buggies, bikes and trikes, kids walking and kicking a ball. An adjacent cycle path would prove dangerous for families due to higher speeds from cyclists.

DePurpereWolf

Wow, so you think that upgrading cycle road surface is a waste.

Of course the money could be spend somewhere else, but any upgrade to cycle roads is good to my ears.

For the rest I'm not that impressed, just an upgrade to a cycle lane that doesn't have any junctions (I believe). It's hard to screw that up, but lets wait and see.

corkandproud

DePurpereWolf wrote: »

Wow, so you think that upgrading cycle road surface is a waste.

My main issue is that this is an existing walking path and although it will be widened and tarmaked, it's not going to be a separate dedicated cycle way so the chances of issues with pedestrians is a huge problem area.

I walk there with the kids most weekends (kids on their bikes) and any cyclists on the path go slowly and are very conscious of other users. Kids whether cycling or walking, and especially pets will not be conscious of the the cycle portion of the path and there is a real risk of an accident if the volume of cyclists increases or if the speed of the cyclists increases.

The walk is used by thousands of people every week, and that includes mornings, evenings, weekdays and weekends.

I'm also very skeptical of the timing around this. It took years to develop the walk and more years for the gradual upgrading that took place since 2000. Completing the between now and the end of the year seems very fanciful - I wonder how much work is actually needed.

On a slight tangent, Carrigaline is the most car dependent town in the Country due to 95% of residents heading for the city, Ringaskiddy and Little Island - I'd like to see someone quantify the reliance on cars for just the Croshaven-Carrigaline commute.

tomasrojo

I don't know anything about this road or area, but the characteristics required of a road for recreational purposes and a road for commuting are very different. The same would be true of cycle facilties. The press release states that this would be suitable for both recreation and commuting; I just don't see how that's likely at all. It will probably be suitable for dawdling recreation cycles.

Victor

Wasn't this annouced only a few months ago?

Of course, this doesn't seem to deal with the busy bit at the Carrigaline end which has more traffic and more trucks.

corkandproud

Victor wrote: »

Wasn't this annouced only a few months ago?

This is new, the other announcement was to do with the town centre.

DePurpereWolf

tomasrojo wrote: »

I don't know anything about this road or area, but the characteristics required of a road for recreational purposes and a road for commuting are very different. The same would be true of cycle facilties. The press release states that this would be suitable for both recreation and commuting; I just don't see how that's likely at all. It will probably be suitable for dawdling recreation cycles.

There is not much recreational traffic at 8 in the morning when you're commuting to work.

I understand that you are expecting to be disappointed, as they'll always find a way to screw things up, but a good resurfacing is in my mind never a bad thing.

TheTubes

I cycled this with my son yesterday, very glad to read about the upgrade, a dedicated lane for cyclists will be great