Cork City Council confirmed the designs are now being finalised, and a Works Contractor is expected to be on site early next year.
The Morrison’s Island project represents an opportunity to bring about comprehensive regeneration of this historic area following An Bord Pleanála's recent granting of approval for extensive public realm improvements and flood defence works.
The project will be delivered along Morrison's Quay and Fr. Matthew Quay between Parliament Bridge and Parnell Bridge. Currently, these quays are ineffective public spaces, primarily used for car parking, and are underutilised as a riverside amenity. As the lowest lying quays in the city centre, they are the source of regular tidal flooding that has a major impact on business and properties within the centre island.
The scheme aims to capitalise on the quay's south facing aspect, by creating a high-quality public realm and opening up the views of the River Lee. The improved public spaces and safer and more vibrant environment will also make the area more attractive for further investment and development.
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The upgraded streetscape will incorporate a wide riverside promenade, a much-improved setting for the impressive Holy Trinity Church, a plaza area at the eastern end of the South Mall and a redesigned Trinity Bridge crossing to Union Quay. As part of the project, changes will also be made to traffic movements, car parking will be reduced, and additional bicycle parking will be provided.
In addition to the public realm investment, other aspects of the project are the construction of flood defences, changes to the surface water drainage system and remedial works to the existing quay walls. These quays are frequently inundated by tidal flooding, and the defence works will bring much needed reassurance to City Centre businesses. In addition, the historic cut limestone quay walls will be refurbished to ensure their long-term integrity by repairing, cleaning and re-pointing in-situ.
The flood defence measures are urgently needed to alleviate tidal flooding around Morrison’s Island and the South Mall and adjoining streets which has frequently caused extensive damage to people’s businesses and properties in that area of the city centre.
The project will be co-funded by the Office of Public Works (OPW), which is committed to investing in flood defence works and the refurbishment of the quays.
Minister of State at the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief, Mr Patrick O’Donovan said: "Projects such as Morrison’s Island show the OPW’s and the Government’s commitment to providing local authorities with the necessary funding to undertake very important local flood relief works. The OPW funding for the Morrison’s Island project forms part of the overall allocation of almost €1 billion included in the National Development Plan 2018 -2027 to underpin the Government’s 10-year strategy of major investment in flood relief works. I very much welcome the progression of this project which, when completed, will provide flood protection to a significant area of Cork city centre."
