MacCurtain Street Public Transport Improvement Scheme

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Cycling Infrastructure

Over the past ten years a range of improvements have been made to cycling infrastructure in the City centre with the support of the National Transport Authority through the provision of a combination of dedicated with-flow and contra-flow cycling facilities. These improvements include new routes connecting the City centre to key destinations such as University College Cork in the west and to the main bus and rail stations in the east. The public bike scheme has also been a very positive addition to the City, encouraging more people to cycle for short and ‘last mile’ trips. However, there is a need for a number of strategic links to better connect these existing cycling facilities and improve the overall connectivity of the cycle network. The provision of new two-way cycle routes along the north quays and Merchant’s Quay as proposed, will connect to the existing facilities on Popes Quay, Penrose Quay and the Mary Elmes bridge and the City centre. The removal of traffic from Harley’s Street will provide improved access to destinations along MacCurtain Street. The removal of

through traffic from MacCurtain Street and the resultant reductions in traffic volumes will also provide a low-speed cycle friendly environment. New cycle lanes are proposed on Leitrim Street and Christy Ring Bridge in order to improve access. The proposed bus lanes on Coburg Street, St Patrick’s Bridge and Bridge Street will supplement the new cycle infrastructure in the area. The existing public bike stations will be retained but will need to be realigned to better suit the new street layout. Additional bike parking will be provided at key locations throughout the study area. The provision of high quality segregated two-way cycle routes complements the improvements delivered under previous projects and provides the connectivity needed to link to other planned cycling infrastructure on Horgan’s Quay, South Mall, Docklands and further afield to the Mahon greenway to the east and the Cork Institute of Technology to the west, via Carrigrohane Road.

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