Not everyone’s life is impacted by the school year – or so we think! The most notable thing if you live anywhere near a school is the increased volume of traffic on the roads. The journey to work for people takes much longer.

Last week, Tim told me that I’m always rushing before I leave for work, putting too much stress on myself. So I’ve been examining this. I do try to get the washing out when possible, maybe another one on and a bit of housework done. It’s a time of the morning when energy is plentiful and I can achieve an awful lot in a short time.

So, I’m forcing myself to take a pause of five minutes before I leave for work. I wonder how long it will last. We’re told that it only takes three weeks to build a habit! It’s helpful to be calm before facing traffic. That’s one of the advantages of farming. For the most part, we can walk to work.

NARROW BRIDGE

There is one bridge that I cross on my way to work called the Inniscarra Bridge. It’s where there is really only room for one car to pass comfortably. It’s difficult to see a car coming on to the bridge as the bridge rises in the middle. But, alas, it is here that we find the most selfish of drivers.

Invariably, people just keep driving. This means that there is severe difficulty to pass on the bridge, which slows everyone down while we wait for the offenders to sort themselves out. It is quite obvious, too, that some have never used the reverse option on the gear stick.

The problem would be solved by the addition of traffic lights and one wonders, with the level of traffic on this bridge, why it hasn’t been sorted out long ago. Apparently, work needs to be completed on the bridge and so lights remains on hold. But now the debate about Cork city extending its boundary may well put the work on an even longer finger.

CORK CITY TO GROW

The news that Cork city needs to expand its boundary is indeed good news. It means that there will be more investment in the city and better services all around. The population will grow and the second-largest city in our country will have a better status.

We need a vibrant city. It will boost tourism and open up opportunities for the area. But, as predictable as night following day, certain groups are already out of the traps saying no.

Most TDs and councillors are against the changes. Some even cite the loss of the revenue from the current satellite towns in the area as critical for the County Council. But they seem to be forgetting that the areas will be gone too and will be serviced by the city.

There’s a bit of double counting going on. The Lord Mayor has announced that there will be consultation meetings. That’s going to prove interesting. Driving through Ballincollig you will see two big yellow signs with the words: “Ballincollig says no.”

As I drove to work last week, I was wondering what Ballincollig was saying “no” to. While I don’t live in Ballincollig, I work there. I shop there. I go to exercise classes there. I walk with my friends there. None of this will change if Ballincollig becomes part of the city.

So this is really about money between councils and the provision of services. Why must we always start out by saying no? Surely we should listen before our minds are made up.

IMPACT ON FARMERS

Farming will be impacted as the city expands. At present, we are outside the city boundary under very strict planning laws. In fact, we are in the green belt area for Cork city. This is the second redrawing of the city boundary that Tim will witness.

On the last occasion, the growth of the city was gradual. Some farmers did sell land for a lot of money and moved out further from the city. In certain areas, that sold land remained difficult to farm due to dumping and trespassers. That may well happen again.

Our dairy farm is on the edge of the new city boundary proposal in the MacKinnon report. This may be modified amidst County Council objections.

Whatever the decision, it will not affect the farming practices on our land in our lifetime. It may impact Colm and, most assuredly, his children. One negative effect is the raising of land prices in the area due to the sale of land for building. But very little land ever comes on the market in this area anyway.

We may have to pay higher rates and property tax if we come under the city council. However, there is also the possibility that being part of the greater city area may bring better services. A better broadband service would be a welcome result and surely necessary for new businesses. It will bring more people to live in the area, which, in turn, will bring prosperity. As farmers, the more people we have to feed, the better.

We need to think carefully before we have a knee-jerk reaction and say no. We should at least start with a maybe.

In the normal run of events, the negotiations and deliberations could go on. But there is an election due and the little issue of redrawing the electoral boundaries has to be finalised within the next few months. So, politics being the driver in this country, it will get sorted. But how long will I be holding my breath for traffic lights on Inniscarra Bridge? CL