Mahon Street Renewal Scheme

MSRS

9 February 2024

Construction works have commenced on the Mahon Street Renewal Scheme, Cork’s first community wide streetscape renewal programme aimed at providing improved streets which are safer and provide multi-modal connected links to schools, retail, sport and leisure within the Mahon area. 

The 5.6km long scheme extends along Ringmahon Road, Skehard Road, Avenue de Rennes, Ballinure Avenue/The Maples and Castle Road. It also includes a “quiet-way” from Castle Park to Ashwood via Loughmahon Park, and links to the Blackrock-Passage Greenway via Sean Cronin Park and to the Lower Harbour Greenway. 

 

This €12 million investment in the Mahon area is funded by the National Transport Authority.  It will deliver:

  • New footpaths, carriageways, bus & cycle infrastructure including bus shelters, public lighting, traffic signals etc;
  • Two new pedestrian crossings and upgrades to existing pedestrian crossings;
  • Three new signalised junctions at Ringmahon Road/Skehard Road, Ringmahon Road/Avenue de Rennes and Skehard Road/Avenue de Rennes, allowing safe crossing facilities for all users;
  • Enhanced public open spaces with seating and extensive landscaping including trees, shrubs and plants to create more pleasant and biodiversity friendly open spaces;
  • Planting of two hundred+ specially selected semi-mature street trees which range in height from 4m to 6m and range in girth from 200mm (8’) to 300mm (12’).
  • Integrated traffic calming measures, new road markings and signage, to reduce traffic speeds and create a safer environment for all.
  • Installation of approximately 5.3km of safer cycling infrastructure, including segregated cycle tracks and greenways.

 

The above measures will enhance the attractiveness of the streets while also making them safer and more convenient for Mahon residents, commuters and people doing business in the area.

It has been necessary to remove approximately 50 of the existing 500+ trees in the area, however, as outlined above, 200+ new semi-mature trees will be replanted in the area. The proposed landscape plan for the area also includes approximately 2,400 square metres of bulb planting, 800+ herbaceous plants, 90+ shrubs and approximately 550 hedge plants which will improve the natural environment and enhance the biodiversity within the area.

Timeline

The scheme is expected to take 18 months to complete due to the phased nature of the works. 

For further information please contact Sheelagh Guilmartin, Senior Executive Engineer at email sheelagh_guilmartin@corkcity.ie