4.120 The Cork Northern Distributor Road is a short-term objective and considered to be a ‘critical enabler’ for CMATS as it: • Creates opportunities for sustainable development of existing land banks in the North City Cork Metropolitan area including the Ballyvolane Urban Expansion Area. • Facilitates the rollout of sustainable transport measures including public transport services for the North City area. • Facilitates the introduction of a HGV ban within the City Centre; • Serves the requirements of local traffic demand in the northern CMA; and • Allows for the downgrading of national routes entering Cork City, which can therefore allow for the prioritisation of sustainable modes on these routes. 4.121 The Cork Northern Distributor Road will provide an orbital route for bus, pedestrian, cycle and some strategic and general traffic and will reduce reliance on radial routes through the City Centre.
CMATS proposes that the NDR would provide connectivity at its western end to join the existing N22. 4.122 4.122 To achieve this, the link would need to address several topographical and environmental considerations including the River Lee and its associated floodplain, the requirement for a new bridge. Further assessment of the final alignment will be needed to address these concerns and the requirement to provide orbital connectivity between Cork’s Northside and key destinations including CUH, CIT, Blackpool, and Tivoli Docks. 4.123 At time of writing this Draft City Development Plan, consultants have been appointed by Cork City Council to appraise and design the new road and a number of route options are emerging. These will be considered at next stages of preparation of the Development Plan.
Figure 4.9: NDRR study area.
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Cork City Draft Development Plan 2022-2028
Volume 1 I Chapter 4
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