Although new cycling routes are proposed, the existing cycling routes need to be upgraded and maintained. The route from Ballincollig to the city disappears at various areas along the route.
Safe/secure bicycle parking needs to be provided, to encourage more people to cycle and use public transport, rather than run the risk of bicycle damage/theft
Solutions for safe walking to schools, seperate from vehicales need to be provided to ease the parking / traffic scenario outside schools, it has become a significant issue in the area. This issue will become and even greater issue with the new residential neighbourhoods proposed
Encouragment should be given for greater 'above the shop' use in the town centre, to create a greater critcal mass of services in the town centre.
Cafes, and independant business should be encouraged to the main street. Many of the new small businesses and cafes, are away from the main street, turning the town away from the main street. There is also great potential for more public spaces along the main street, although the footpaths are wide, they are not used to their full potential.
Although renewanle energies are being supported, homes and buildings need to be designed to limit the requirement for renewable energy and improve comforts levels. The Passive House building standard would promote such performance. Objective 5.11, promotes that development maximise energy efficiecncy but the building regulations do not necesarily support these objectives, which is why the Passive House building standard should be adopoted as a minimum standard.
Embodied and operational carbon assessments should be a mandatory requirement for new developments, to both inform design and ensure tha thte cliamte change objectives are being met. The assessments will also inform design strategies and encourage the retention/refurbmishment of buildings rather than their demolition, a critical elment to acheiving climate change targets