Cork County Council should urgently pause works to install a barrier on Keelbeg Pier, Union Hall, until residents can have completed an independent assessment of the works, Cork South West Deputy Christopher O’Sullivan said.
“It’s ridiculous residents have not been consulted, yet council is shoehorning a barrier onto the entrance of Keelbeg Pier, Union Hall,” Deputy O’Sullivan said on Monday.
“I am pleading with the council to pause their works until a way forward can be agreed with residents.”
Deputy O’Sullivan said the barrier is going to limit access to leisure users, in particular the Myross Rowing Club, as well as other members of the public who would use the slipway for access.
The main concern is for residents in the nearby area. The entrance would have been used as access to the nearby small beach, but the proposed barrier will instead cause traffic to be funnelled along a busy residential area.
The council argues there needs to be a separation of the commercial and leisure activities on the pier because of health and safety.
“Alternatives have been put to council in consultation with stakeholders, but these alternatives have been rejected by the council,” Deputy O’Sullivan said.
“Residents have serious concerns about this from a health and safety point of view.”
Many representatives – including the three Cork South West TDs – have met with pier users to hear their concerns.
