This submission requests that Chapter 6 section 6.46 table 6.11 Project Status , would specifically mention that a Western Entrance to the Tramore Valley Park would be developed as part of continued improvements according to the Masterplan, during the lifetime of this plan.
The Tramore valley Park currently has a pedestrian and cycling entrance from Douglas at Willow Park, a planned entrance at Half Moon rd, and recent approval of funding for a new €1.5 million pedestrian and cycling bridge from Grange.
The area in most need of a new pedestrian and cycling entrance would be to the immediate west of the TVP and should be included as a priority objective in the development plan Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy 2022 – 2028.
- The Ballyphehane /Togher area has been identified as a RAPID area , Revitalising Area by Planning and Development, GBI study section 4.15 & Figure 4.6. As such a pedestrian and walking link from the area to TVP would merit prioritisation of investment in Green and Blue Infrastructure in this area.
- Community Severance : the South Link rd. acts a physical barrier preventing people accessing TVP by active travel means.
- Health benefits: GBI investment in this area would provide health and well-being benefits associated with more active travel.
- Air Pollution: The South Link Rd has high levels of air pollution as stated in section 4.10 GBI study. Reducing levels of private vehicle traffic on the south link road accessing the TVP would help to improve air quality in the area
- High Car dependency: The GBI study identified a key issue of high car dependency. A pedestrian and cycling entrance linked to the Togher river walkway would encourage more people to make journeys by active travel means.
The western entrance to TVP from the Togher River walkway/cycleway is a key element of the TVP Masterplan from 2012. This entrance was also part of plans for Greenway CSW-GW2 in the 2017 Cork Cycle Network Plan, and subsequently included in the walking and cycling strategy of the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Plan 2040.
The Mapped Objectives of this draft development plan currently include a western entrance to the TVP, and this is also shown as a potential extension of existing green corridor in Chapter 14 Fig 14.3 of the GBI study
To the best of my knowledge the western entrance as planned under the 2012 TVP Masterplan was deemed to be unsuitable due to unspecified health and safety concerns. In light of approval of €1.5 million from the NTA for a pedestrian and cycling bridge over the south link rd to the Grange area, similar funding could ensure measures are taken that would manage any health & safety concerns of the previously planned entrance , or alternatively the development of a new pedestrian and cycling access to the park, connecting the Togher River Walkway to TVP.
In conclusion a western pedestrian and cycling entrance linked to the Togher River walkway should feature more prominently in the development plan and be highlighted under the Project status part of Table 6.11
A Western pedestrian and cycling entrance linked to the Togher River walkway should be highlighted under the Tramore Valley Park Project status in Table 6.11
A western entrance to Tramore Valley Park is a core element of the Tramore Valley Park Masterplan and should be a priority investment in GBI for this area identified as a Revitalising Area by Planning and Development.
