Writes JJ Hurley
Kinsale and District Greenway/Blueway Project moved closer to reality with €22,000 secured to undertake a feasibility study.
Fronted by several local community groups (Kinsale Trails Initiative), Future Kinsale is the lead group in the initiative.
Originating from a My Town Plan Initiative in 2019, with South and East Cork Area Development (Secad), the Kinsale Project is examining the prospect of cycling and walking routes from Kinsale, Tracton, Belgooly, Riverstick and Ballinspittle.
Making the project unique will be the inclusion of the local rivers and sea as part of developing the amenity. Hence the addition of the blueway to the title.
Having secured 90% of the funding from a grant provided by Secad to carry out a feasibility study, work on the project will begin in earnest in 2021.
As well as pointing to the benefits of the greenway/blueway, committee member, Liz Creed, said the flagship project had the potential to create a physical connection between the different communities in the area.
Acknowledging the impact of the proposed project on the environment Liz Creed said, 'Any greenway/blueway development must not be at the expense of destroying existing ecological corridors or habitats and must align with the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030.'
Emphasising the importance of all the community of having an investment in the proposed initiative, Liz said, 'Establishment of, and consultation with, key stakeholders: Cork County Council, landowners, other community groups and the public, will form part of this feasibility study as will a public participation forum.'
The expected participation from the public is a crucial element of the initiative, according to Mr Alan Clayton, Chairman of Future Kinsale. He said it was not often that 10,000 people had the opportunity to shape their environmental surroundings for the future.