Google+ Running in Cork, Ireland: More developments at Tramore Valley Park in Cork City...

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

More developments at Tramore Valley Park in Cork City...

At the start of 2013, I had a post up about the proposed master plan for the new Tramore Valley Park in Cork City. A small number of 5k races were held there in 2011 to 2013 but since then, I haven't heard of any major developments. There has been talk about opening dates but it seems to get pushed back every year.

It was announced within the last week that the National Transport Authority has approved funding in 2015 for the following...

1) The preparing of preliminary design and planning of the overbridge across the N40 (South Ring Road) linking Tramore Valley Park to Grange.

2) Provision of a cycle track from the roundabout on the South Douglas Road to the Tramore Valley Park.

It is envisioned that both projects will link into the Half-Moon Lane which will be another access point.


On the first point, the approval is for part of the 'design and planning' stages but getting the funding to build the actual bridge will be another story. It does show however that the intent is there. Here is an artists impression of what it might look like from the master plan...


Whether it ends up looking like that or something scaled down is another issue.

The path from Douglas will give cyclists, walkers and runners more route options once it is in place and the park opens. It's a slow process but at least there is some progress.

Once the park does open, it would be an obvious place for a 5k parkrun. Based on other venues in Cork, it should easily get well in excess of 100 runners a week. We'll have to wait and see.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

In the small print it says 'Actual bridge may not match photograph'

DGM said...

Silly place to put the bridge. Theres nothing on that side of the South Ring road apart from 1 housing estate - the cycle path from Douglas would be suitable for them.
Not much footfall around Kinsale Road flyover area either. That bridge would be of more use over the South Link connecting the park to the back of Turners Cross area.

Anonymous said...

Completly agree, currently there is going to be only one entrance planned for the park, therefore if your walking or have children on bikes not too sure how safe travelling the south link would be, the park itself is great but the access points shown are not in place nor won't be for a long time according to the city council. I have raised this issue with 6 months and the council nor the representatives want to know about it.

John Desmond said...

From what I understand of the master plan, there is a small wooded area to the south of the South Ring Road and this will connect up to the road by Grange church. That would give a large number of people in that area access to the park.

The other entrances are via Half Moon Lane, the path from Douglas and there is an underpass from the Black Ask car park.

I presume the main entrance from the South Link Road will remain? And there will be provision for some parking in the park?

Anonymous said...

The vernon mount area is in the proposal for redevelopment so a bridge over to that and conected onwards to grange would be crucial.