First phase of Midleton to Youghal Greenway officially opened  

The first section of a multimillion-euro new greenway in East Cork has been officially opened, with the amenity envisaged as a future “enhancer of public health and personal wellbeing” and a “catalyst for economic growth and tourism development”.

Phase one of the Midleton to Youghal Greenway stretches 8km from Midleton train station to Mogeely, marking the first step in the vision of establishing a 23km greenway network connecting key towns and villages along the former railway line.

Speaking at the launch today, the Mayor of County Cork Frank O’Flynn said the official opening marked the fruition of “years of planning, dedication, and collaboration”.

He described it as a “significant milestone” and a demonstration of the council’s efforts to “promote sustainable living in the county of Cork”.

Mr O’Flynn said he also anticipated that the greenway will “bring people in their multitudes” to East Cork, giving a boost to local businesses.

On completion, he said the greenway “will form part of the Pathfinder project providing cycle connectivity between Cork and Waterford and will also be incorporated into the EuroVelo 1 route”.

Catalyst

Also speaking at the launch, Cork County Council chief executive Valerie O’Sullivan said she believes the greenway will be an “enhancer of public health and personal wellbeing” and a “catalyst for economic growth and tourism development”.

“We in the council have already seen planning applications made because people along this corridor see the potential for this greenway to enhance business and trade,” she said.

Ms O’Sullivan said the council wished to recognise “the positive working relationship with Iarnród Éireann and CIE Group Property from the initial project inception and more recently in relation to the integration of the greenway at Midleton station”.

“I also wish to acknowledge the support of property owners and farmers adjoining the greenway,” she said.

“Throughout the process, we have engaged with landowners on the basis that they are neighbours and every effort has been made to listen and to respond to issues, where reasonably applicable.”

Minister of state at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers, was in East Cork for the official opening of the first section of the greenway.

“Approximately €18.4m has been spent by the Department of Transport in developing this greenway route to date.

“This investment signals the Government’s commitment to providing high-quality cycle infrastructure that will generate many benefits for cyclists and communities across Ireland,” he said.

Significant step

“The opening of this 8km section of high-quality cycling infrastructure today, with a further section due to open later this year, is a significant step in delivering a Pathfinder Project to deliver a national cycling network corridor between the cities of Cork and Waterford,” he said.

The launch event was widely attended by local and national politicians, council staff, and locals including members of the Midleton and East Cork Flood Protection Group, which sought to bring attention to the plight of residents in East Cork concerned by flood damage.

“It’s not a protest against the greenway, it’s that we need to make a point that we have bigger priorities in Midleton and East Cork at the moment,” secretary of the group, Caroline Leahy, told The Echo.

Ms Leahy said the group is campaigning for flood defences and interim measures.

“We’re here five months on [since Storm Babet], we’re no more protected than we were back in October,” she said.

“People still haven’t received money in some places, nearly five months on. Then the amount they’re being given isn’t adequate to do the repairs.”

Mr Chambers spoke with the group yesterday and in his address said he would relay their concerns back to his colleagues in Government.