In the long running saga re provision of an appropriate bus stop on Maryborough Hill I want to inform readers of the current position. Council have indicated to me that they want to progress the matter and you will see from the latest letter that the current position is not good news. However I am continuing to try and find a solution on this matter.

In a recent letter in response to my seeking clarification of the current position I detail contents below

“In December 2004 O’Brien & O’Flynn Ltd. received a Planning Approval (Reg. No 04/963) to construct 156 no. dwellings forming Phase 1 of a proposed development at Maryborough Ridge, Maryborough Hill, Moneygourney,Co. Cork County Council
Condition 35 of the permission required, inter alia, that, in the insterest os orderly development

Bus Stops shall be accommodated along the stretch of public roadway at Maryborough Hill fronting the proposed estate.

The existing Bus Stop, in front of Maryborough Ridge on the City bound site of Maryborough Hill is considered to be unsatisfactory. There is no shelter and no fafe area for intending passengers to wait for the bus. Intending passengers currently have to wait on the opposite side of the road until the bus arrives and then cross Maryborough Hill to board the bus. Bus Eireann and An Garda Siochana have also expressed concerns about the suitability of this bus stop.

It is considered that the Developer should comply with the relevant Planning Condition attached to his Planning Permission and provide the Bus Stop. This work has not been undertaken to date.

In recognition of the delay experienced by the public using the existing bus stop Cork County Council is willing to undertake the civil engineering works to provide a bus stop and the necessary pedestrian facilities at a suitable location. This would include the provision of a pedestrian crossing, attitional lengths of footpath, a hard standing at the bus stop and the diversion of existing services. The estimated cost of this is 25,000 excl VAT and the necessary funding is currently in placer.

O’Brien and O’Flynn have sought to tie in the provision of accommodation works with other considerations in relation to the interpretation of planning decisions at this location. This would not be acceptable to Cork County Council and may prejudice our position in relation to these matters.

In the circunstances it would both be impossible and impractical to undertake these works without the developer creating the necessary setbacks and providing the required accommodation work.”

This is the position as outlined to me but I am renewing my efforts to break the logjam. I have always found both parties to be reasonable and I will again contact them to see if the matter which is of critical importance settled for the greater good.

Further to numerous representations by me over the past four years and more recently in relation to a revised road widening scheme for above I now wish to advise Council are currently re examing the proposal.  In the earlier scheme (for which we received Part 8 planning) there were cycle tracks throughout.  The redesigned scheme will reduce or eliminating these cycle tracks.  The amount of Compulsary Purchase Orders and therefore the cost of the proposal will  be reduced given the current economic climate.

• It is intended to develop the section between Maryborough Hill and Mount Oval. 
• Construction would take approx 2/3 years depending on finance and other matters.
• Traffic Study of Douglas/Rochestown will commence shortly.
• Development plans for lower Clarke’s Hill will be postponed pending results of Study
• Council hope to publish Part 8 for revised scheme in early Summer 2009.
• When Part 8 is adopted Council  will improve facilities for the bus in the area.
• There is a Department of Transport grant of 100,000 towards the proposal for 2009

However, I have to advise that within the past two weeks Council was informed that it is not allowed to embark on any new non national road projects until a review by the Government of its existing financial commitments is completed, having regard to the current difficult economic situation.  This embargo even applies to projects which have already been approved for funding such as the 400,000 traffic calming scheme on the Rochestown Road, the proposed western relief road for Carrigaline and the Green Routes serving Douglas and Carrigaline. 

The fact that this proposal was first mooted in 2005 and hasn’t moved forward is highly regrettable and deeply unsatisfactory and points to inefficiencies in the system at local level..  Residential planning continued to be granted in the area. Development charges continued to be gathered.  Delayed action, coupled with the current crisis in funding, may mean that this project is once again at a snails pace. 

Be assured that I will continue to voice concerns and highlight the urgent necessity for progress on the matter.