Privatising Deepwater Quay / Five Foot Way, Cobh. The Port of Cork Company (PoCC) have been following a strategy for man...
Privatising Deepwater Quay / Five Foot Way, Cobh. The Port of Cork Company (PoCC) have been following a strategy for many years, to, in effect, privatise Deepwater Quay. In 2014, as part of the Planning Application to install extra bollards for tying up Cruise Liners, PoCC submitted a Traffic Management Plan in which they explicitly say âA public right of way (pedestrian only) passes through the site with separate pedestrian access gates at the site entrances, east and west.â... It is difficult to be more explicit. This was part of the conditions submitted on which Planning Permission was granted for their works. However, since then, in their strategy, PoCC submitted a new Traffic Management Plan in which the words âright of wayâ are replaced with the non-legal term âwalkwayâ. Six years ago, bully tactics were used to re-direct walkers away from Deepwater Quay, over the railway bridge. When this failed, because people would accepting their dictate, PoCC started proceedings in Cork Circuit Court, case number 2019/ 01998. PoCC have asked the Court for a DECLARATION that NO Right of Way exists on Deepwater Quay. If they win, it means that, in effect, Deepwater Quay is PRIVATISED. This is where PoCCâs strategy has been going, it is nothing less than a land-grab, and shamefully, the Council are facilitating it. Since pulling back from Council in 2019 Diarmaid à Cadhla has continued to stand with the Save Cobhâs Rights of Way group, sadly, none of the existing Council members have had the courage to do their duty and represent the community in this matter â had they done so the issue could have been resolved overnight. The Save Cobhâs Right of Way group is supporting Diarmaid à Cadhla in the coming Local Elections, so that this issue can be discussed and decided where it should be â on the floor of Cork County Council. Diarmaid needs support, the issue if huge, especially for Cobh town, but for all visitors who enjoy the free and unhindered use of this public Right of Way.
29 April 2024