The Council giveth…

Cork City Council has just announced the installation of a new bus stop on Anderson’s Quay.

The additions come as part of the wider MacCurtain Street Public Transport Improvement Scheme, which looks set to revamp the area and make the congested roadways more accessible and safer for pedestrians and cyclists.  

Whilst some will welcome the addition, the move is sure to upset the more environmentally minded of the city, as three of the six trees along the quay will be removed to facilitate the new bus stop.

In recent years, a large number of our green giants have been cut down to make room for improved transport infrastructure or without explanation at all, and Corkonians are highly sensitive to plans to cull any that we have left.

Many will recall the recent controversy surrounding our ‘robot trees’, the €350,000 pollution-busting ‘City Trees’ which saw the City Council face major backlash last year.

There is even a hashtag dedicated to Cork’s Missing Trees which documents the losses suffered along our roads, in our parks, and in our neighbourhoods.

A big wooded area brutally ripped out on the Ballyhooly Road today. 30 trees gone. I wonder who gave Loftus permission to do something like this.🤔Is it up to citizens to search for murky online planning & figure out what’s going to go next? Who knew about this? #corkmissingtrees pic.twitter.com/46iriUrza7

— The Kingfisher & Dipper of the Glen River 🌿🐟🐸 (@glenkingfisher) February 23, 2022

The Council has taken a very positive step in addressing Leesider’s concerns, hiring a Tree Officer who oversees the management of our leafy neighbours.

The recent announcement included assurances that three new trees, as well as shrubbery, will be replanted once the bus stop is installed.

I’ve put together a very quick list based on the #corkmissingtrees feed. Haven’t included everything. Some private/public. It’s very much the tip of the iceberg but high profile cases. It might be possible to get some answers on these at least. When will these be replaced? pic.twitter.com/gT2U7T33ZX

— Dr Eoin Lettice 🇺🇦 #standwithUkraine (@eoinlettice) February 24, 2022

However as more and more photos appear online of newly nude tree stumps, many remain cynical that they will ever be replaced.