| DRAFT TRANSPORT STRATEGY
CORK METROPOLITAN AREA
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EXAMPLE OF MULTI-MODALINTERCHANGE AT KENT STATION WITH BRIDGE ACCESS TO THE SOUTH DOCS
The Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) 2040 and City Centre Movement Strategy 10.19 The Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) aims to reduce dependency on the private car, while increasing the appeal of sustainable transport options. It recognises that pedestrian access to the City Centre island is inhibited in some areas by a limited number of pedestrian bridges, substandard crossing facilities and high volumes of vehicular traffic and speeds on approach roads. It builds on the work on-going through the City Centre Movement Strategy (CCMS), which has an over- arching objective to prioritise pedestrian, cyclist and public transport movement and reduce through vehicular traffic volumes and speeds. ‘Walkability’ improvements are envisaged over the lifetime of the Strategy and include re-allocation of road space in favour of pedestrians in the City Centre and quayside areas, matching crossing facilities with pedestrian desire lines, and the re-timing of signals to reduce pedestrian wait times.
Access between the City Centre, Kent Station and the Parnell Place Bus Station will be enhanced through the provision of traffic-free bridges and pedestrian-friendly upgrades to the existing walking network. 10.20 The Strategy has also determined that an East-West Transit Corridor is best served through the provision of a new Light Rail Transit (LRT) tram system running from Ballincollig to Mahon through the City Centre. Within Cork City Centre, streets will have more of a place-based function and will require a greater emphasis on liveability. It is intended to create a more attractive experience in the City Centre, while enhancing facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, prioritising public transport, whilst still allowing access into off-street car parks and designating driving routes into the city. 10.21 The next scheme to be progressed through the CCMS will be the northern quays and MacCurtain Street area (MacCurtain Street Public Transport Improvement Scheme). Cork City Council continues to progress with the provision of additional bicycle parking and lanes. Other projects on-going include the “Re-imagining Cork City” programme launched in July 2020 in response to Covid-19 but including some very positive longer-term measures such as significant pedestrianisation, cycle routes and bicycle parking.
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Cork City Draft Development Plan 2022-2028
Volume 1 I Chapter 10
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