Cork 2023: Providing the best quality of life for its people

Cork County Council continues to deliver on ambitious targets to provide the highest level of services across the county, enhancing urban and rural communities. Key projects include significant road investment, a sustainable transport plan, major housing infrastructure and a climate action plan.

In order to achieve these ambitious targets, councillors adopted a record budget of €403m for 2023. The local authority also unveiled proposals to invest €1.2 billion in its Capital Programme from 2023 to 2025.

Tim Lucey, the chief executive of Cork County Council, said: “We’re committed to supporting businesses and communities, facilitating job creation and working to mitigate the risks posed by climate change. We want to improve the quality of life for residents, businesses and visitors to the county by delivering housing, jobs and key infrastructure.”

According to the 2022 Census, the population of Cork County is almost 359,000 people, equivalent to the combined population of the counties of Cavan, Roscommon, Sligo, Monaghan, Longford and Leitrim.

Cork County is on target to exceed population growth of more than 59,000 people between 2016 and 2028. Three-quarters of the growth will be across the 11 main urban settlements that make up the County Metropolitan Cork and Greater Cork Ring strategic planning areas. The remainder will be delivered in North and West Cork to support sustainable growth.

This will require the delivery of at least 22,600 homes and more than 35,000 jobs. A total combined employment and residential land bank of 2,692 hectares has been identified to deliver these targets. In 2022, Cork County Council granted permission for almost 5,000 housing units.

Lucey added, “Cork County Council fulfils an important role in strategic terms, delivering both urban and rural key objectives. We are concentrating on sustainable development, with a particular focus on suburban rail-based towns, including Mallow, Carrigtwohil, Cobh and Midleton as well as Carrigaline and Passage West.

“The main towns and key villages outside of County Metropolitan Cork collectively fulfil a critical socio-economic function and will be the location of at least a third of planned growth over the next five years. We are also committed to providing viable futures for existing rural populations.”

New housing has already been delivered in Carrigaline, Carrigtwohil, Midleton, Mallow, Bandon, Kinsale and in towns across the county. In addition, Cork County Council is working with key stakeholders and state agencies to activate rail-based housing and mixed-use lands at Waterrock in Midleton and at Carrigtwohill.

The Waterrock project will facilitate the delivery of 2,500 new homes. Infrastructure works will take place this year and planning permission has been granted for 1,200 homes. The local authority also has consent for public realm enhancements and road junction upgrades to facilitate the delivery of 3,000 new homes in Carrigtwohill. Plans for the area include an education campus consisting of three new schools on adjoining lands.

Lucey said, “We recognise that the delivery of sustainable local jobs within and close to significant population growth centres is crucial. Significant investment has been provided at key employment locations such as Little Island and Ringaskiddy, where over 12,000 people are employed.

“We’re working closely with the National Transport Agency to progress a significant suite of public transport and active travel-related initiatives to enhance the sustainable transport options within the County Metropolitan Area.”

A five-year, €150m capital investment programme with the National Transport Authority aims to provide high-quality connectivity between and within the towns in the County Metropolitan Area incorporating cycling, walking, rail and bus. This will give people a practical alternative to the private car.

An Eastern Metropolitan Corridor taking in Carrigtwohill, Glounthaune, Little Island and Midleton is well advanced and will connect with the Midleton to Youghal Greenway and ultimately the Waterford Greenway.

In the Southern Metropolitan Corridor, investment will provide the populations of Carrigaline, Monkstown and Passage West with integrated transport options. Cork County Council has also secured planning and funding for a Transportation and Public Realm Enhancement plan for Carrigaline, the largest town in Co Cork.

Significant transport investment is being made across the County Cork Road network. The N22 Baile Bhuirne to Macroom Road Development is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year, with the first section bypassing the town of Macroom opening ahead of schedule in December. When complete, this route will extend to 22km and allow for improved access between Cork and Kerry as well as reducing the volume of traffic travelling through Macroom town by 40 per cent.

The Dunkettle Interchange remains on track to be finished in February of 2024, with a number of new links to open to their permanent alignment this summer. When fully upgraded, the interchange will be free flowing for most movements – meaning vehicles will not be required to stop or give way as they travel through.

Advance work is also under way on the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy project to construct 11km of motorway and 2km of single carriageway from Junction 9 on the N40 to the eastern side of Ringaskiddy. Commenting on the works, Lucey said, “The upgrade of the N28 to motorway standard will facilitate the expansion of port-related and other employment activities within Ringaskiddy.”

With climate to the fore of all activity, Cork County Council also expects to use its influence as a local authority to lead the fight against climate change, with direct support from the people living in Co Cork.

The council is the lead authority for the Atlantic Seaboard South Climate Action Regional Office and is currently working on its own new Climate Action Plan. The plan will inform how the council can best tackle the challenges posed by our changing climate, while working to meet national targets for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Lucey said, “There is no doubt that climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing us, and one in which everyone bears a responsibility to do their part for future generations.

“The scientific reports show average rainfall in Cork has increased and sea levels have risen by 40cm since 1842. Temperatures are predicted to rise by between 1.1 and 1.5 degrees by 2040 resulting in an increase in heat waves and droughts. It’s vital that we act now.”