Pontoon walkway officially reopens in Midleton
Grab your walking shoes or hop on your bike as a pontoon has reopened in East Cork.
Midleton’s pontoon walkway has officially been reopened marking the completion of the first phase of Cork County Council’s development of a pedestrian and cycle route from Ballinacurra to Midleton.
Further works will follow before Christmas, including the widening of the small bridge and installation of public lighting along the walkway which will require temporary closures.
While additional landscaping and public realm enhancement works will be undertaken, works on the Bailick walkway are also set to be completed before Christmas.
Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Mary Linehan Foley, said: “I am really pleased to see the walkway reopen at a time when we all have a new appreciation for the outdoors and the importance of remaining active for our mental and physical health. This is a fantastic amenity for Midleton and forms the first step of a truly transformative plan for the area,” she said.
“The pedestrian and cycle route will connect the popular Midleton Youghal Greenway right into the town centre of Midleton providing great facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and for people availing of public transport too.”
She added: “Quality pedestrian and cycling infrastructure promotes physical activity which in turn promotes wellbeing. With safe cycle and pedestrian routes to local schools, more children have the option to cycle or walk to school. This project will be beneficial for the whole community and will also attract visitors to the area.”
The 6.5km pedestrian and cycle infrastructure proposed for development runs from Ballinacurra to Midleton Train Station and also incorporates a one-way system for traffic from the south of the Bailick Road to Charlestown Wharf, a traffic light shuttle system at the N25 underbridge on the Bailick Road and an underbridge under the existing Irish Rail railway line.
Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey, said that route consist of a wide variety of active travel measures, such as segregated cycle facilities, shared use pedestrian options, cycle paths and greenway.
He added: “As a council, we are acutely aware of how sustainable transport is about balancing current and future needs. The Ballincurra to Midleton project will offer enhanced connectivity for retail and employment as well as promote sustainable transport choices.”
New footpaths, controlled crossings, bus stop upgrades and LED public lighting, and proposed works to a protected structure on Bailick Road are included in the plans for public consultation and are available at corkcoco.ie.
Submissions and observations can be emailed to trafficandtransport@corkcoco.ie, online at yourcouncil.ie or by post to Senior Engineer, Cork County Council, Traffic and Transportation, Floor 11, County Hall, Cork on or before 23 December.