Cork City Inner Orbital Route
Cork City Inner Orbital Route | |||
Location Map ( geo) | |||
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From: | Anderson's Quay / Michael Collins Bridge | ||
To: | Anderson's Quay / Michael Collins Bridge | ||
Meets: | N8, N20, N22, N27, R608, R610, R847 | ||
Traditional Counties | |||
The Inner Oribital Route created in Cork city centre is a route totalling 26 different junctions. This works in conjunction with the North and South Ring Roads (R635 and N40).
The system was introduced in December 2004, having taken inspiration from the Dublin Inner Orbital Route. Like the Dublin scheme, the Cork orbital uses blue-background signs to show that you're on the ring road, and white signs with a blue heading to show that you're approaching it.
The Orbital connects many of the key roads in the region, and was designed to help drivers make their way across the city. There is no consistent road number around the route, and it varies between national primary routes, regional routes and unclassified roads.
Like the Dublin scheme, most of the junctions along the Orbital have been given a number, which is shown at the junction and on roads leading to it. One way roads mean that some junctions are only accessible in one direction.
Junction List
The junctions are numbered in a clockwise direction around the city centre, with some deviations.
Image | Name | Classified Road(s) | Grid Reference | More Info | Map |
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Junction 1 | N27, Anderson's Quay | W680720 | 4 way traffic light junction, although exit is just to the harbour area | ||
Junction 2 | N27, Albert Quay | W681718 | 4 way traffic light controlled junction, although Albert Quay is one-way from west to east. Northbound N27 traffic cannot turn right onto Albert Quay | ||
Junction 3 | N27, Albert Road | W681717 | 3 way traffic light controlled junction, although Albert Road is one way so N27 cannot access it | ||
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Junction 4 | N27, Old Station Road, Eglinton Street | W680716 | 4 way traffic light controlled junction outside of the Elysion Building. This also marks the end of the South Link Road from the N40 Cork South Ring Road | |
Junction 5 | R610, Old Station Road, Copley Street | W679715 | 4 way traffic light controlled junction with Anglesea Street one way from north to south. There is also a two-way Cycle Lane that goes along the side of Anglesea Street | ||
Junction 6 | R610 | W679714 | The only traffic lights on this junction is for a Pelican Crossing, although if turning from Anglesea Street onto South Terrace, there is a flashing right arrow on the lights indicating give way | ||
Junction 7 | R610, Union Quay | W676715 | Another 3 way traffic light controlled junction, with the R610 one-way east to west | ||
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Junction 8 | Union Quay, Copley Street | W677715 | The first junction that does not have any traffic lights, and this junction is also not on the main route. There is an alternative route between junction 5 and junction 7 | |
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Junction 9 | R610, Sullivan's Quay | W674715 | The R610 turns right over Parliament Bridge towards the South Mall, whilst the Inner Orbital Route continues along Sullivan's Quay. | |
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Junction 10 | R608, Sullivan's Quay | W672715 | Elongated 4 way traffic controlled junction, although 3 routes are one way at this point. | |
Junction 11 | R608 | W668714 | The R608 continues around to the right at this junction and remains one way. It is a traffic light controlled junction, but it probably is not needed as the traffic is relatively light so not necessary for a pedestrian crossing and the traffic from Bishop Street can only continue straight ahead downhill | ||
Junction 12 | R608 | W669716 | A simple give way junction. Turn right for the city centre, turn left to head towards the N22 and West Cork | ||
Junction 13 | N22, R608 | W668717 | Traffic light controlled junction | ||
Junction 14 | N22, R608 | W670718 | The numbering of junction 14 does not really make sense. In fact, it would make more sense for this junction and junction 13 to swap numbers. This junction is traffic light controlled and marks the eastern end of the N22 one way system as it comes into Cork city centre. | ||
Junction 15 | N22 | W666717 | A simple traffic light controlled junction between the N22 outbound and a short road to link to the N22 inbound | ||
Junction 16 | N22 | W663715 | Junction is outside the main entrance to University College Cork (UCC) | ||
Junction 17 | N22, R847 | W667718 | |||
Junction 18 | N22, Grattan Street | W670718 | More traffic lights, with 2 one way streets coming in and 1 going out | ||
Junction 19 | Grattan Street, Adelaide Street, Henry Street | W669720 | |||
Junction 20 | R847, Grattan Street | W668721 | |||
Junction 21 | R847, (R848) over Griffith Bridge, North Main Street | W669721 | |||
Junction 22 | R847, Cornmarket Street | W672721 | |||
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Junction 23 | N20, R847, Emmett Place | W674721 | 4 way traffic light controlled junction, next to the Christy Ring Bridge | |
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Junction 24 | N8, N20, N22 | W676721 | 4 way traffic light controlled junction. In terms of major routes meeting, this is one of the most important junctions in Cork with the N8, N20 and N22 all ending their long journeys at this point | |
Junction 25 | N8, R610 | W678720 | Traffic light controlled junction where traffic along Merchant's Quay cannot turn onto Parnell Place | ||
Junction 26 | N8, R610, Anderson's Quay | W679720 | Finally, the last junction along the route. Another traffic light controlled junction. Traffic heading west along Anderson's Quay can officially only turn south onto the R610, but because of the junction design and very faded road markings, cars frequently go straight onto Merchant's Quay passed the bus station. Travel east along Anderson's Quay and you end up back at the start at junction 1! |
Links
- Cork City Council Inner Orbital Route brochure [1]
Cork City Inner Orbital Route | ||||
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