Tuesday 20th July from 22:00hrs to 05:00hrs on Wednesday 21st July:

• Beaumont
• Well Road
• Silverdale
• Woodvale
• Church Road
• Blackrock Road (from Crab Lane to Blackrock Castle)
• Skehard Road
• Convent Lane
• Ballinlough Road
• Beechwood Park
• Belmont Park
• Ardfallen Park
• Browningstown Park
• Hettyfield

Wednesday 21st July from 22:00hrs to 05:00hrs on Thursday 22nd July:

• Togher Road
• Clashduv Road
• Glasheen Road
• Summerstown Road
• Deanrock
• Vicars Road
• Pouladuff Road
• Earlwood Estate
• Ardmanning Avenue
• Tramore Road
• and surrounding areas.

Thursday 22nd July from 22:00hrs to 05:00hrs on Friday 23rd July:

• Bishopstown Road
• Curraheen Road
• Halldene
• Uam Var
• Melbourn
• Leesdale
• Rossbrook
• Model Farm Road
• Kenley

Every effort will be made to keep the disruption to a minimum. Some slight discoloration may occur when water is restored. This discolouration is harmless and will clear in a short time.

Please check the clarity of the water at the kitchen tap before use particularly when operating drink vending machines, washing machines, dishwashers etc. Please ensure that all taps are in the closed position for the period of the shut off.

Please help us by informing your neighbours who may not read this notice.  Please contact the Water Services Department at 021/4924514 or 021/4924228 if you have any queries.

The slipway has separated from the quay wall and has become dangerous. It is proposed to replace it with a pontoon similar to the one recently installed in Custom House Docks. City Council agreed to meet the cost which will be in the region of €170,000 including consulting fees. It is planned to have the new pontoon in place by the end of August.

The pontoon will be owned by the City Council and made available by way of licence to the Lee Rowing Club and be managed by them for their own use and for use by other members of the general public.

I am delighted with the City Manager’s announcement of such a sizeable investment in a new pontoon on the Blackrock Marina. The slip-way fronting the Lee Rowing Club on the Marina has shown signs of lateral movement over a period of years. It is an issue that I have been lobbying in City Hall for since I joined Council three years ago and I am delighted that it has come to fruition.

This investment of €170,000 is something that will be enjoyed by the all the recreational users of the river – under the terms of the licence Lee Rowing Club will operate the pontoon and facilitate the smaller clubs in the area, which is very welcome.

Late last month I reported on the prosed new playground that was earmarked for Blackrock Village. Read details here

At this weeks council meeting the City Manager updated Councillors on the progress of the Blackrock Village Renewal Scheme. The first phase of which will comprise the provision of a children’s playground and small park with plaza and seating. It will be bounded by Convent Road, the main Blackrock Road and the entrance to the Ursuline School.

The wall along Convent Avenue will be set back to allow for residents parking. The wall fronting the main road will be replaced with railings to improve safety and to afford a view of the new facility from the centre of the village. The old public toilets will be removed.

The Part 8 process will begin immediately and, all going well, the City Council should be in a position to commence the physical development work by late Autumn.

It is estimated that the overall cost will amount to €1.2m and at this weeks Council meeting, Councillors approved this spend.

Following on the success of the last two years Bonfire Night Events Projects on June 23rd, the Council is again organizing and supporting a number of family friendly events throughout the City on the evening of Bonfire Night. The project is being managed by the Recreation, Amenity and Culture Department, with the support of Community Wardens, RAPID Coordinators, the Gardai, Emergency Services, local community groups and other agencies .An Event Coordinator has been engaged to assist with the delivery of the project.

Five major outdoor events are planned in City Council parks as follows, with a range of activities such as games, bouncing castles, sports, face painting, karaoke etc

• Kilmore Park, Knocknaheeny 6.00 pm – 9.00pm
• Pophams Park, Farranree 4.00 pm – 7.00 pm
• Glenamoy Park, Mayfield 5.00 pm – 8.00pm
• Loughmahon Park, Mahon 6.30pm – 9.30pm
• Clashduv Park, Togher. 5.30pm – 9.30pm

Organised, supervised bonfires will take place at the Clashduv Park, Loughmahon Park and Kilmore Park events. Particular focus has been placed on having local groups and clubs participate in all projects.

In addition, support is also being given to other community events being organized in Black pool( Blackpool Youth Club) ,Kerryhall Road, Willow Park/Glencurrig/Ballincurrig, Douglas and Bishopstown ( Bishopstown Youth Project, Community Ass, Gardai) . At Leesdale, Model Farm Road and at Willow Park/Glencurrig, at the request of residents, the Council has erected No Bonfire signs in the estates, and written to all residents advising that no bonfires are being permitted on the green areas, and that the residents associations are organizing alternative activities on the night. It is encouraging to see a number of new events this year, at Glenamoy Park in Mayfield, Bishopstown and Willow /Gelncurrig Park it being the Councils intention to support additional

Last year, 8000 people attended these events, with over 40 community groups involved in their organisation, as well as over 150 local community volunteers. It is particularly encouraging to note a number of new projects this year. (Glenamoy Lawn, Willow Park and Bishopstown) .

The Councils Parks Department as in previous years will endeavour to remove bonfire material where possible , but in recent years, much of the material is hoarded securely until the actual night itself. Priority will be given to removing material where there is a risk to health and safety, property, power lines etc.

The GAA wish to redevelop and upgrade Pairc Ui Chaoimh to a 50,000 seater stadium and the development of a Centre of Excellence which would share stadium facilities including gymnasium, medical room, dining facilities and changing rooms.  In order for this redevelopment to go ahead, the GAA will require 6.82 acres of the publicly owned lands at the former Muster Agricultural Site. This acreage would include provision for circulation areas and a full GAA sized All Weather Playing Pitch that will be floodlit.

Recently the council members have been provided with reports from different department of City Hall, with regard to this proposed development, set out below.

Report from City Manager, Joe Gavin here

Report from Docklands Director of Services, Pat Ledwidge here

I am hugely supportive of the GAA’s wish to redevelop Pairc Ui Chaoimh, something that the stadium has been in need of for a great many years. At present, Cork does not have a stadium with the capability of hosting major sporting events. As the second largest region in the State, the absence of such a facility has been holding us back and has resulted in the City missing out on the revenues that accompany such major sporting events.   The potential to the City if the GAA do go ahead with this proposal is immense. From both an employment perspective during the construction stages and also the longer term benefits to the City from an economic perspective. Pairc Ui Chaoimh represents the best opportunity for the region to have a high-quality sporting and outdoor concert venue.

However I have concerns with regard to the all-weather pitch in terms of its impact on the planned Marina park.  The provision of a major sub-regional park centred on the Showgrounds has been central to all City Council plans since the idea of developing docklands was first put forward in the Docklands Development strategy 2001. This park would be a flagship project and would be a catalyst in changing the image of the Docklands. The park would be planted and landscaped to include amenity areas, waterways and it would also make provision for active recreation. It would link the showgrounds, the Atlantic Pond and the Marina into a large amenity area designed to the highest international standard to serve the City.

The GAA is one of the world’s greatest sporting organisations and I welcome the County Board proposal to redevelop Pairc Ui Chaoimh to provide a modern stadium with improved facilities for our players. However the accommodation of a full size all weather pitch is not compatible with the plans to develop a flagship park for the Docklands and the City. If the pitch goes ahead as proposed the opportunity to realise this vision will be lost, with consequences for the overall plans for Docklands.

To download the City Council’s “Public Realm Strategy” section of the South Docks Local Area Plan click here.

In his letter to me Joe Gavin, City Manager stated that the delay in moving the matter forward was regretted. A number of difficulties arose relating to land ownership. The City Manager met on 4th May with the Managing Director of Pierce Construction who are the current owners of the lands fronting the Ursuline Convent.

As you are aware part of these lands, as they meet the main Blackrock Road, were to have been transferred to the Council’s ownership. This has not yet happened and but subsequent to the City Manager’s meeting with Pierce Construction, the City’s Law agent is now progressing this.

In the meantime the City’s Park’s Department are preparing plans for the first phase of the development which would see the front wall along Blackrock Road being removed thus opening a view of the Ursuline Lands and improving traffic safety by improving the corner at Convent Road. It is proposed that the first phase will also provide a state of the art Children’s Playground in the space between the Community Centre and the Blackrock Road. The City Manager has identified funding for this first phase.

Plans for this phase should be finalised by our Park’s Department by the beginning of June.

The Docklands Progress Report, prepared by the Docklands Director of Services, gave updates on a whole range of issues pertaining to the development of the South Docks area.

Public Realm Design

The Consultants’ Team lead by Mitchell & Associates are making progress with a significant amount of work being undertaken in the areas of research and analysis on a number of fronts including:

• Roads & Transport
• Drainage & Flooding
• Planning Management & Control
• Arts & Culture

The research and analysis is being facilitated through meetings held using the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) made up of key members of staff from the relevant City Council Departments and consultation with the developers and landowners. There have been three TAG Meetings along with numerous individual meetings with specific council departments and 10 developer consultation meetings to date.

A draft of the proposed broad strategy is expected this week (w/b 12th April) with a view to bringing to the second Steering Group meeting on April 20th 2010.

The programme allows for preliminary design and policy documentation will be submitted to the Docklands Policy Committee and Cork City Council in June 2010.

Planning Permission

a) Origin Enterprises

i. Kennedy Quay Development

Permission was granted for this mixed-use development at the R&H Hall site in May 2009 and was appealed by the Port of Cork and a local developer on Monahan’s Road. However the decision was overturned by An Bord Pleanála. See the Bord’s decision here

b) Planning Applications

i. Topaz Site

Planning application has been submitted and is being processed at present. The application was submitted on March 22nd 2010 and is for the demolition of all existing structures, site clearance and the removal of an establishment to which the Seveso II Directive applies. Permission is also sought for redevelopment of the site and all site development works to incorporate the construction of a mixed-use retail/commercial development ranging 2 to 9 storeys over basement, including mezzanine at ground floor. It is proposed to erect two buildings on the cleared site; namely Block A, a focal building, is located at the north west boundary of the site and will consist of 1 no. café (251sqm gfa), 2 no. retail general stores (430sqm gfa), 2 no. retail comparison stores (638sqm gfa), 1 no. retail warehouse unit (812sqm gfa), 5,311sqm of offices from 2nd floor to 8th floor, green roofs and solar panels at roof level. Block B fronts onto Centre Park Rd and consists of 2 no. cafes (681sqm gfa), 2 no. convenience stores (197sqm gfa), 5 no. retail general units (697sqm gfa), a retail anchor store with a gfa of 8101sqm (2299.2sqm new convenience and 1,840sqm net comparison), 15,322sqm of offices from 1st floor to 7th floor, a 3 storey medical centre (2873sqm gfa) which connects Block A to Block B, a gym (572sqm g.f.a), anchor retail service area, podium landscaped areas at 2nd floor, a winter garden at 2nd floor of medical centre, travelators from basement to ground floor level & escalators from ground to 1 floor, storage areas, plant rooms, ancillary space, waste areas, switch rooms, substations, green roofs and solar panels at roof level. The development also proposes a basement level car park consisting of 339 parking spaces, 334 bicycle parking spaces, ancillary service areas and service area for drainage, all at basement level. Permission is sought for a 10 year period. An EIS and further details of development are available on file. The reference number is st1034336.

c) Imminent Planning Applications

i. Marina Commercial Park

An application on this large site is imminent, with a number of pre-planning discussions held over the last year.

Marina Park

Procurement of design for Marina Park has commenced. The competition should be advertised in May/June 2010 with the consultants selected by the end of 2010.

South Docks District Centre Development Brief 2010

Councillors were also furnished with a copy of the “South Docks District Centre Development Brief 2010″ . This brief relates to the lands benefiting from the District Centre Zoning Objective in the Cork City Development Plan 2009 -2015

To view a copy of the brief, click here

So for the next council meeting have have submitted a motion which reads:

“That Cork City Council would seek expressions of interest from likely partners to redevelop the Gus Healy Swimming Pool”.

A report will prepared on this motion which will then be brought before full council in a number of weeks. Once I am in receipt of this I will make it available here.

I will continue to lobby for our pool to be redeveloped, but in the interim you can be assured that I will work to ensure that the pool is available, and I will push for more public hours – it is of huge concern to me that the public hours are limited to just one hour a day, between 1pm and 2pm.

For the last number of months, since the roundabout in Douglas Village was removed by Cork County Council, I have being requesting an that alternative route be provided for traffic coming off the Well Road, and wishing to travel the Douglas Road, other than being diverted around Douglas Village. The following is the text of the report. I would be very interested in any suggestions you may have in alleviating the traffic queues on the Well Road.

“The ban on the right turn on the exit from Well Road onto Douglas Road was introduced in 2003 in order to improve the road safety and traffic flow at the junction. The problem was that there is no room for the storage of right turning traffic, and one car turning right regularly blocked a large number of vehicles turning left to access Douglas Village. The Gardaí at the time fully agreed with the proposal.

As part of the proposal to ban the right turn exit from the Well Road, it was proposed to change the traffic management controls at the junction of Woodview/Well Road in order to allow traffic exit onto the Douglas Road from the Well Road. In order to ensure that Woodview would not become a ‘rat run’ for traffic avoiding the traffic signals at the junction of the Well Road/ Douglas Road, it was also proposed to introduce a ban on exiting Woodview onto the Well Road. The net effect of the change of traffic management on Woodview would have been that, while there would be a change in the direction of the tidal traffic flow, the traffic data had indicated that there would be no overall increase in traffic volumes using Woodview.

A survey was carried out of the residents in Woodview, and a large majority voted for no change in the traffic arrangements in Woodview. The proposed new arrangement for Woodview incorporated new traffic signals at the junction of Woodview and Douglas Road, and even if was decided now to introduce the proposed new system, the issue of funding for the works could not be guaranteed .

The options for traffic which formerly turned right from the Well Road onto Douglas Road are as follows:

1. Turn right into Hettyfield and then onto Eglantine Park to traffic signals at the junction with Douglas Road.
2. Turn left at the junction with Douglas Road and then right along the new road at the refurbished Douglas Village Shopping Centre parallel to the South Ring Road. Turn right onto South Douglas Road and then access Douglas Road via any of the link roads such as Belvedere Lawn, Tramore Lawn, Rhodaville Estate/Rathmore Lawn, Rosebank or Cross Douglas Road.

Accordingly it is recommended that the current traffic arrangements at the junction of Douglas Road/Well Road remain as they are.”

National Spring Clean is Ireland’s most popular, well recognised and successful anti-litter initiative. Now in its 12th year, the campaign encourages every sector of society to actively participate and take responsibility for litter, by actually conducting clean-ups in their own local environment. National Spring Clean traditionally takes place throughout the month of April.

National Spring Clean has been operated by An Taisce since 1999 in partnership with the Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government and Local Authorities and is sponsored by Coca-Cola Bottlers Ireland, the Wrigley Company Ltd. and, more recently, Repak. The size and scale of National Spring Clean has grown steadily and significantly over the years.

Blackrock Castle Observatory are organising a Clean Up on April 28 in association with National Spring Clean Month. They want to deal with the flotsam and litter that gathers at the town side of the Castle by the fisheries. Ursulines school is also getting involved on the day and the Cafe in BCO will be dishing up some free pizzas!

Play your part by organising a clean-up of your area by your Community or Residents Association. Further details available from Environment Directorate, Room 232, Cork City Council, telephone or from environment@corkcity.ie

Community Area Maintenance Grants in 2010

In addition, Cork City Council invites applications from Community Associations, Residents Associations and other organisations for funding for Community Area Maintenance Grants in 2010. Grants are intended to fund or part-fund community initiatives with a litter prevention focus.

You can download an application form here or else contact the Environment Department, Room 232, City Hall Cork,  telephone 4966222 ext. 4308, 4299,

Closing date for receipt of applications for the Community Area Maintenance Grants is 5 p.m. on Friday, 30th April, 2010.

There is plenty of help and support available out there for potential entrants, whether you are an absolute beginner or turning pro! Check out LeisureWorld’s twelve week training programme. Click here . As well as that, free Participants Preparation Seminars will be running between this and June 7th, for more info, check out the Marathon website.

Even if you are not a participant in the marathon, there is still plenty for you to do and great ways to get involved. For the past three years we’ve had a fantastic crew of volunteers who played a vital part in making race day such a success. With the growing number of participants, we’ll need even more of you this year! So, if you’re willing to help out on 7th of June 2010 we’d love to hear from you.

To register your interest in stewarding, being part of a water and food-station team, entertaining the athletes, or just supporting the heroic marathoners and team relay athletes on their way round that long, long course, please complete the Volunteers Form and return it to us. The form is available to download as a Word Doc  Vols Application form 2010 or as a PDF  Volunteers Application Form 2010 (PDF).

Again, this year, the Irish Cancer Society is the designated charity for the Bord Gais Energy Cork City Marathon again in 2010. Last year, there were more than 330 runners with 80 of them taking on the full marathon distance. More than €75,000 was raised to benefit cancer care, support and research.

And for all you need to know check out www.readysteadycork.com

Take a peek at the video below, to see highlights from last years marathon and what you could be a part of.