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Fine Gael Cork South West Deputy, Jim Daly, has said the provision of €60,000 in total for the development of a cycle greenway from Cork to Kinsale is great news for the area in terms of tourism and the knock-on benefits for local business.
Mr Daly said: "The development of the Westport to Achill Greenway a number of years ago has acted as a blueprint for what can be achieved right across the country. In most instances, cycle greenways are being developed on disused railway lines and the situation for West Cork is no different.
"A total of €60,000 is being made available to Cork County Council for the West Cork Abandoned Rail Lines Greenway, made up of €30,000 for the Cork to Kinsale section and €30,000 for the Ballinascarthy to Courtmacsherry Section. These grants will be used for planning and development of the greenway which should act as a huge draw for tourism in the area.
"The Cork to Kinsale section of the greenway represents the first phase in the opening up of the abandoned lines of the Cork Bandon and South Coast Railway, which stretches to an impressive 188km. This expanse of rail line, if fully developed, is being touted as having the long-term potential to become Ireland’s premier off-road cycling destination.
"The Cork to Kinsale section is 36km long and will be developed as a dedicated off-road cycle and walking route. The Greenway will incorporate the Chetwynd and Halfway Viaducts and Ireland's longest railway tunnel at Ballinhassig, which will act as visitor attractions in their own right. The funding for this project will be used for specialist engineering input so that the structural stability of these landmarks can be determined and recommendations made on how best to adapt them for use as part of the proposed route.
"Where the Ballinascarthy to Courtmacsherry section is concerned, this proposed cycleway will be 14km in length and will be predominantly off-road. A 4.5km section of the route, from Timoleague to Courtmascherry, has already been developed as a result of active community groups in the area."
(CD/MH)
