Beamish & Crawford Quarter Public Realm

The project comprises the construction of public realm enhancement works within the Beamish & Crawford Quarter including works to Bishop Lucey Park within Cork City Centre.

The scheme can be broken down into two distinct sections, namely Beamish & Crawford Quarter Public Realm works, and the Bishop Lucey Park redevelopment works, which you can read more about here.

Beamish & Crawford Quarter Works Extent

This project aims to improve the public realm and access in and around the medieval core of the city.  This includes access to Bishop Lucey Park, Elizabeth Fort, St. Fin Barre's Cathedral and the proposed event centre on the site of the former Beamish & Crawford Brewery.  As part of the scheme, Bishop Lucey Park will be renewed based on an award-winning architectural design by Hall McKnight Architects that will open up the park to the wider city centre.

Beamish & Crawford Quarter Public Realm works comprises public realm improvement works including the upgrade to road and pavement surfaces over a 1.8 hectare area, approximately, running from the junction of South Main Street/Washington Street along South Main Street, up to and including South Gate Bridge, to Grand Parade to the east, along Sullivan's Quay as far as Nano Nagle Bridge to the east, to Proby’s Quay/Keyser’s Hill and St. Finbarre's Street to the south and Crosse’s Green Quay and Wandesford Street to the west.

The works include the following aspects:

• Footpath improvement, including widening of footpaths;
• Modification of paving materials throughout;
• Modification/improvements to cycle lanes;
• Creation of level shared space plaza/street through the use of traffic tables at South Main Street, French’s Quay, Crosse’s Green and Clarke’s Bridge;
• Installation of traffic calming measures;
• Installation of street trees and planters for urban greening;
• Installation of street furniture such as seating;
• Temporary and permanent service and utility diversions;
• Undergrounding of overhead ESB cables on French’s Quay and Crosse’s Green;
• Re-resurfacing to carriageways and line marking throughout;
• Relocation of traffic signage and signalling;
• Tie-in of proposed paving materials and associated construction elements with proposed Bishop Lucey Park redevelopment works and 2 proposed pedestrian/cycle bridges at Proby’s Quay and Crosse’s Green.
• Remedial repairs and vegetation removal from the quay walls along Frenches Quay, Proby’s Quay and Crosses Green will be provided.

Bridges 

Two bespoke pedestrian and cycle bridges will be constructed in the vicinity of Crosse's Green and French's Quay in Cork City Centre and repairs to existing quay wall on Crosses Green and French's Quay.

 Jons Civil Engineering Ltd. have been appointed as the Construction Contractor for this project.

 The scope of works includes but is not limited to, the following:

• Construction of two bespoke single span steel pedestrian and cycle bridges, with an approximate span of 30 metres each;
• Installation of architectural lighting systems;
• Urban realm improvement works tie-in works with Beamish & Crawford Quarter Public Realm Project;
• Traffic, pedestrian & cyclist improvements and upgrades of the urban environment;
• Repair to approximately 100 metres of existing quay wall including grouting, re-pointing and de-vegetation as well as de-vegetation to approximately 260 metres of the remaining quay wall within the works area.

 Timeline:

 The overall scheme is expected to be complete in the autumn of 2025.

October 2024 update:

• Archaeological excavations have taken place in all the bridge landing locations. The old city wall was discovered in one of the areas and protective measures were put in place to ensure the wall remained unaffected by the works. The design was changed in this location to avoid any contact with the old city wall.
• Piling for three of the four bridge abutments is now complete.
• Two of the abutments are currently under construction and are due to be concreted in the next couple of weeks.
• Ducting for the undergrounding of services is well underway on French’s Quay, Proby’s Quay, Crosse’s Green and Wandesford Quay.
• De-vegetation of areas of the quay walls has been completed.
• Diversion works for the foul pumping main on Crosse’s Green is progressing.

Timeline

Construction of the public realm, park and bridges is now underway.  The scheme is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

Current Works

 A road closure has been put in place to facilitate the construction works on Crosses’ Green. The closure is from the junction with Wandesford Quay to the junction with Proby’s Quay. The closure will remain in place until May 2025, with diversions in place and local access maintained.  

For further information please contact Brian O'Flynn, Senior Executive Engineer at email brian_oflynn@corkcity.ie