Huge Day For Passage West & Carrigaline
In what will be remembered as a huge day for Passage West & Carrigaline, funding has been announced to progress two significant projects.
In Passage West, Michael McGrath TD has confirmed that €1.8 million in national funding has been secured by Cork County Council towards the acquisition and redevelopment of the Dockyard site.
He said, “The allocation has been made under the government’s Urban Regeneration & Development Fund. The Council sought the funding for Passage West in September as part of its submission of proposed projects. Having made the case in support of this for some time, I am delighted this allocation is now being made. Obviously the purchase of the Dockyard site will require a willing seller and is subject to successful negotiations in the normal way. However, the allocation of national funding is a significant step and is a really positive move. I have always believed that the appropriate redevelopment of this site would be transformative for the town, opening it back out to the water. With this positive news today, we are now one very important step closer.
Meanwhile, in Carrigaline, Cllr Seamus McGrath has confirmed that Cork County Council has been partially successful in its application for funding under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund. He said, “€750,000 has been approved to allow the project go the next stage of preparation of tender documents for construction. This is positive news and I commend the Council on putting forward a very strong case. Further funding will be required to sign contracts for construction and more allocations under this fund are expected in the new year.”
He continued, “As Mayor of the County in 2017, it was an honour for me to sign the Detailed Design contract with Atkins Consultants. That phase is now virtually complete and the Council intend to prepare tender documents as soon as possible. I questioned Engineers last week at a Council meeting and they estimate that the tender phase will take approximately 6 months.The inner western Relief road is a key piece of infrastructure for Carrigaline, not the full solution by any means, but a significant improvement. It will also allow the Council to reimagine the existing Main Street and put together a proper urban design.It’s over to Cork County Council now who will be contributing part funding (already agreed) and managing the tender and construction phase.”
Update:
An Tánaiste Simon Coveney TD has also, in the last few minutes, welcomed the news, saying, “I am absolutely delighted that this morning we have had the announcement of €750,000 being granted for the Western Relief Road in Carrigaline. The funding for this has been a long time coming, but I am happy to finally see some movement on this vital project for Carrigaline. I would also like to commend Cork County Council on putting forward a very strong application.The whole idea with Project Ireland’s funds is that good ideas get money put behind them. This is only phase one of monies from the Urban Fund, and I do expect further funding for this project in the next year. For now though we will draw down the funds that have been won and get these essential projects moving. The next round of applications for funds will open in February 2019.”
Update:
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD has also welcomed the news in Passage west, saying, ” I mm thrilled to learn that, after years of raising this at Council and national level directly with Minister Damien English, along with Cllr. Michael Frick Murphy & Cllr Eoghan Jeffers that we are finally moving to buying and regenerating the Docks at Passage West. €1.8m has been allocated under the government’s Urban Regeneration & Development Fund.There are many more hoops to jump through, but given that this was for many years dismissed as being impossible, and too expensive, I am delighted we are finally seeing a strong step forwardsThis can be a visionary move, and transform the area to the benefit of the community and the Harbour.”
Comments