Cork councillors urge review of Greenway route to Kinsale

A motion, calling on Cork County Council to commit to reviewing the proposed route of the Cork to Kinsale greenway, was tabled this week by Fianna Fáil councillor Gillian Coughlan.

The motion stated that, while acknowledging Cork County Council’s public consultation process, and respecting the fact that the chief executive’s report will be presented to councillors when submissions have been collated, that this chamber “notes the deep opposition and anger that exists among some members of the public whose properties are on the current ‘emerging preferred route’ for the proposed Cork–Kinsale greenway”.

The motion, seconded by Independent councillor Alan Coleman, asked that the council would commit to reviewing the route in consultation with landowners to minimise the impact on agricultural and private holdings.

Supporting the motion, Mr Coleman, alongside the chairs of both the Bandon–Kinsale and Carrigaline municipal districts, specifically requested that the chief executive of the local authority, Moira Murrell, provide residents living along the route with clear timelines regarding the outcome of the third public consultation phase, which closed on August 29 with approximately 2,000 submissions received.

Ahead of the meeting, members of the Cork to Kinsale Greenway Residents’ Association handed a formal letter to Ms Murrell, inviting her to meet directly with the committee to address concerns regarding the management and progression of the greenway project to date.

The motion passed unopposed.