THE Port of Cork has suffered a setback to its plans to open a €226 million container terminal at Ringaskiddy in 2011.
The blow came when National Roads Authority officials told a Bord Pleanála hearing yesterday that at best it could start the vital upgrading of the Cork-Ringaskiddy road (N28) in 2011, and it would take a further two years to complete.
The Port of Cork management has previously stated it would not make the container terminal operation until the N28 was in place.
NRA officials warned the upgrading of the road would be competing against other projects for funding, not just in Cork but nationwide. They also pointed out they would prefer to undertake the work with just one project, rather than doing it piecemeal.
While the Government’s National Development Plan includes reference to upgrading the N28, any work will be dependent on Exchequer funding.
Paul Moran, NRA manager for regional schemes, said it was premature to speculate on a construction start-up date for the project. However, he said, realistically the project was unlikely to begin until at least the start of 2011, and construction could take about two years to complete.
It is envisaged the road will be a dual carriageway capable of handling 44,100 vehicles a day.
Compulsory Purchase Orders and Environmental Impact Statements are being worked on by the NRA and it was pointed out the cost of acquiring land would be substantial.
Mr Moran said if construction of the port went ahead before the road was upgraded, it would lead to extended rush-hour periods as traffic backed up.
He added that in this case it would be up to the Port of Cork to provide a plan to mitigate this disruption.
“It does appear the existing N28 is at overcapacity at peak periods, particularly at the Shannonpark and Shanbally roundabouts,” Mr Moran said.
He added that upgrading the N28 was primarily for the benefit of the Port of Cork generated traffic.
The NRA said port authorities should therefore be paying an appropriate contribution for the upgrade, so as to protect the taxpayer from the cost of inappropriate subsidisation of a private development.
“No plans are currently in hand to carry out any capital works to augment the Jack Lynch tunnel, to provide an additional River Lee crossing in the vicinity of the tunnel,” Mr Moran added.
He said the junction at Dunkettle caters for 103,000 vehicles a day, which may no longer be sustainable.
“From the NRA’s view, it’s an extremely important junction. We are looking at medium and long-term improvements there,” Mr Moran said.
However, he pointed out traffic jams at the junction should be eased when the Cork-Midleton railway line was opened and more commuters switched to the train.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Showing posts with label port of cork. Show all posts
Showing posts with label port of cork. Show all posts
Thursday, 17 April 2008
Monday, 14 April 2008
RTÉ correspondent denies ‘nimbyism’ charge over port proposals
A HUGE row has broken out between the commercial manager of the Port of Cork and RTÉ’s marine correspondent over proposals to develop a €232 million container port at Ringaskiddy.
The row broke out as An Bord Pleanála’s oral hearing into the proposals moved into its third week.
It was sparked when Captain Michael McCarthy, the port’s commercial manager, accused Tom McSweeney of “nimbyism” (not in my back yard).
Capt McCarthy claimed Tom McSweeney — who lives in the lower harbour village of Monkstown — “never lost an opportunity to offer adverse comments about the proposed development at the Oyster Bank in Ringaskiddy” in a weekly Seascapes column in the Evening Echo newspaper. Click Here!
Mr McSweeney hit back by saying Capt McCarthy’s reference to nimbysim “is beneath contempt and not worthy of a response in a debate that should be about the welfare of everyone in the harbour area”.
But the port’s commercial manager stated that when Tom McSweeney was awarded “the well deserved” title of maritime person of the year, the RTÉ correspondent remarked, during an acceptance speech, that if people thought about it, they would realise how dependent we are on the sea.
Capt McCarthy quoted Mr McSweeney as saying: “We are so dependent on the sea. Too often, it is out of sight, out of mind, but we are on an island which is very peripheral. A port would not be a port without shipping. The development of shipping activities is welcomed by most.” He then accused the marine correspondent of being “inconsistent in his argument”.
Pointing out that Capt McCarthy was entitled to his view, Mr McSweeney said his “interest is the future of Cork Harbour for all concerned and not for any narrow or personal interest and that is what should motivate every stakeholder in the harbour”. He added: “Regrettably, the public interest is not given full standing as a stakeholder. At all times, I have maintained an independent approach towards what I view to be a national — not just a local resource.”
Meanwhile, Capt McCarthy said the Port of Cork considers the Oyster Bank project to be an essential development for the future growth of the Cork region and the south of Ireland enabling it to attract investment and provide sustainable employment.
Further rows are expected today at the oral hearing when the Port of Waterford puts its case against the Port of Cork’s relocation plans.
The Port of Cork’s chief executive Brendan Keating has described Waterford’s objections as mischievous.
The oral hearing is expected to continue for a further two weeks.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
The row broke out as An Bord Pleanála’s oral hearing into the proposals moved into its third week.
It was sparked when Captain Michael McCarthy, the port’s commercial manager, accused Tom McSweeney of “nimbyism” (not in my back yard).
Capt McCarthy claimed Tom McSweeney — who lives in the lower harbour village of Monkstown — “never lost an opportunity to offer adverse comments about the proposed development at the Oyster Bank in Ringaskiddy” in a weekly Seascapes column in the Evening Echo newspaper. Click Here!
Mr McSweeney hit back by saying Capt McCarthy’s reference to nimbysim “is beneath contempt and not worthy of a response in a debate that should be about the welfare of everyone in the harbour area”.
But the port’s commercial manager stated that when Tom McSweeney was awarded “the well deserved” title of maritime person of the year, the RTÉ correspondent remarked, during an acceptance speech, that if people thought about it, they would realise how dependent we are on the sea.
Capt McCarthy quoted Mr McSweeney as saying: “We are so dependent on the sea. Too often, it is out of sight, out of mind, but we are on an island which is very peripheral. A port would not be a port without shipping. The development of shipping activities is welcomed by most.” He then accused the marine correspondent of being “inconsistent in his argument”.
Pointing out that Capt McCarthy was entitled to his view, Mr McSweeney said his “interest is the future of Cork Harbour for all concerned and not for any narrow or personal interest and that is what should motivate every stakeholder in the harbour”. He added: “Regrettably, the public interest is not given full standing as a stakeholder. At all times, I have maintained an independent approach towards what I view to be a national — not just a local resource.”
Meanwhile, Capt McCarthy said the Port of Cork considers the Oyster Bank project to be an essential development for the future growth of the Cork region and the south of Ireland enabling it to attract investment and provide sustainable employment.
Further rows are expected today at the oral hearing when the Port of Waterford puts its case against the Port of Cork’s relocation plans.
The Port of Cork’s chief executive Brendan Keating has described Waterford’s objections as mischievous.
The oral hearing is expected to continue for a further two weeks.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
Traffic concerns over planfor Cork container facility
A senior council planner has expressed concern that the proposed move by the Port of Cork of its container terminal from Tivoli to Ringaskiddy farther down Cork Harbour should not take place before a major upgrading of the road network.
Cork County Council acting senior planner Noel Sheridan raised the issue of upgrading the N28 for extra container traffic to Ringaskiddy in a report prepared for Cork county manager Martin Riordan, presented to this week's council meeting.
The proposal to transfer the container terminal from Tivoli in the upper reaches of Cork Harbour to the Oyster Bank in Ringaskiddy is part of a €160 million plan to transfer all Port of Cork operations downstream.
In his report Mr Sheridan said the planned move was consistent with strategic planning for the Cork region, and the land use and zoning objectives for land at Ringaskiddy.
However, he said the development should not become operational without the planned upgrading of the N28 to dual-carriageway status to take the extra traffic.
The Port of Cork has applied to An Bord Pleanála to relocate its container terminal and its roll-on, roll-off facility from Tivoli downstream to Ringaskiddy.
The new facility will cover 37 hectares, including 18 hectares of reclaimed land. It will involve the dredging of the sea bed to a depth of 13.5m, the creation of almost 800m of quay wall, and the installation of container cranes 80m high.
According to figures provided by the Port of Cork, the port has the second largest volume of trade in the Republic. The move is necessary as Tivoli has limited capacity, which is likely to be reached by 2010/2011.
Among the constraints at Tivoli are limited vessel size and vessel numbers, tidal restrictions on larger vessels, poor road access and a trend towards bigger container vessels which Tivoli cannot handle.
The master plan for the Port of Cork envisages the full development of all port activities at Ringaskiddy by 2026. However, this would see a major increase in heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), which would rise from 15 per cent of traffic in 2011 to 53 per cent by 2026.
Mr Sheridan said the traffic volumes were such that upgrading the N28 to dual-carriageway was required, which would also bypass Ringaskiddy and Shanbally.
He noted that the National Roads Authority (NRA) had given no timescale for such upgrading.
"It would not be logical to allow the port development proceed without certainty that the planned upgrade of the N28 will take place," said Mr Sheridan, adding that an environmental impact study (EIS) submitted by the Port of Cork noted the possibility even after upgrading of delays at the Jack Lynch Tunnel.
The Port of Cork has plans to make Ringaskiddy a European hub port with the capacity to handle 600,000 to 800,000 containers. However, the proposal has met with opposition from local residents and a number of groups in the lower harbour area.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Cork County Council acting senior planner Noel Sheridan raised the issue of upgrading the N28 for extra container traffic to Ringaskiddy in a report prepared for Cork county manager Martin Riordan, presented to this week's council meeting.
The proposal to transfer the container terminal from Tivoli in the upper reaches of Cork Harbour to the Oyster Bank in Ringaskiddy is part of a €160 million plan to transfer all Port of Cork operations downstream.
In his report Mr Sheridan said the planned move was consistent with strategic planning for the Cork region, and the land use and zoning objectives for land at Ringaskiddy.
However, he said the development should not become operational without the planned upgrading of the N28 to dual-carriageway status to take the extra traffic.
The Port of Cork has applied to An Bord Pleanála to relocate its container terminal and its roll-on, roll-off facility from Tivoli downstream to Ringaskiddy.
The new facility will cover 37 hectares, including 18 hectares of reclaimed land. It will involve the dredging of the sea bed to a depth of 13.5m, the creation of almost 800m of quay wall, and the installation of container cranes 80m high.
According to figures provided by the Port of Cork, the port has the second largest volume of trade in the Republic. The move is necessary as Tivoli has limited capacity, which is likely to be reached by 2010/2011.
Among the constraints at Tivoli are limited vessel size and vessel numbers, tidal restrictions on larger vessels, poor road access and a trend towards bigger container vessels which Tivoli cannot handle.
The master plan for the Port of Cork envisages the full development of all port activities at Ringaskiddy by 2026. However, this would see a major increase in heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), which would rise from 15 per cent of traffic in 2011 to 53 per cent by 2026.
Mr Sheridan said the traffic volumes were such that upgrading the N28 to dual-carriageway was required, which would also bypass Ringaskiddy and Shanbally.
He noted that the National Roads Authority (NRA) had given no timescale for such upgrading.
"It would not be logical to allow the port development proceed without certainty that the planned upgrade of the N28 will take place," said Mr Sheridan, adding that an environmental impact study (EIS) submitted by the Port of Cork noted the possibility even after upgrading of delays at the Jack Lynch Tunnel.
The Port of Cork has plans to make Ringaskiddy a European hub port with the capacity to handle 600,000 to 800,000 containers. However, the proposal has met with opposition from local residents and a number of groups in the lower harbour area.
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Thursday, 21 June 2007
Final plans for €160m port facility on display
THE Port of Cork will unveil the final plans today for its massive €160 million container facility planned for Ringaskiddy.
Port officials said last night that they have addressed several concerns about traffic, noise and visual impact which were raised by the public during the first round of public consultations last December.
They and representatives from their consultants, RPS Consulting Engineers, will outline later today several mitigation measures they intend to take to deal with those issues.
A draft Environmental Impact Statement on the massive project at Oyster Bank — which includes the reclamation of almost 18 hectares of land — will also be on display.
The massive project is being dealt with by the State’s Strategic Infrastructure Bill designed to fast-track major infrastructural projects.
Port officials are due to meet with that body within the coming weeks to finalise their planning application, which could be lodged within two months.
A final decision could be made by the middle of next year, depending on the outcome of public hearings.
The proposed new facility will replace the port’s city-based Tivoli Docks container facility.
With a capacity for 180,000 units, it handled 155,000 container units and port traffic is still growing.
The new container terminal, together with a multi-purpose roll on-roll off (Ro-Ro) berth, will be able to handle twice the volume of Tivoli.
Work is expected to be carried out in two phases — phase one will cater for 300,000 container units. Phase two will complete the facility allowing it to cater for 600,000 units.
The port also has plans to build a new €70m bulks facility at the nearby ADM jetty.
The plans for the port’s move downstream were first proposed in 2002, as part of the Port of Cork’s Strategic Development Plan.
Today’s public consultation sessions will take place at the Ringaskiddy Ferry Terminal between 11am and 2pm and again between 5pm and 8pm.
Irish Examiner
Port officials said last night that they have addressed several concerns about traffic, noise and visual impact which were raised by the public during the first round of public consultations last December.
They and representatives from their consultants, RPS Consulting Engineers, will outline later today several mitigation measures they intend to take to deal with those issues.
A draft Environmental Impact Statement on the massive project at Oyster Bank — which includes the reclamation of almost 18 hectares of land — will also be on display.
The massive project is being dealt with by the State’s Strategic Infrastructure Bill designed to fast-track major infrastructural projects.
Port officials are due to meet with that body within the coming weeks to finalise their planning application, which could be lodged within two months.
A final decision could be made by the middle of next year, depending on the outcome of public hearings.
The proposed new facility will replace the port’s city-based Tivoli Docks container facility.
With a capacity for 180,000 units, it handled 155,000 container units and port traffic is still growing.
The new container terminal, together with a multi-purpose roll on-roll off (Ro-Ro) berth, will be able to handle twice the volume of Tivoli.
Work is expected to be carried out in two phases — phase one will cater for 300,000 container units. Phase two will complete the facility allowing it to cater for 600,000 units.
The port also has plans to build a new €70m bulks facility at the nearby ADM jetty.
The plans for the port’s move downstream were first proposed in 2002, as part of the Port of Cork’s Strategic Development Plan.
Today’s public consultation sessions will take place at the Ringaskiddy Ferry Terminal between 11am and 2pm and again between 5pm and 8pm.
Irish Examiner
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