Work to start on new Mallow Town Park walkway before the end of year
A SENIOR council official has said the authority plans to start work on a project to create a walkway linking both sides of the river in Mallow before the end of this year.
Last month it emerged that funding of €130,000 had been granted under the 2016 Rural Recreation Scheme for the project following a joint application by the County Council and the Avondhu Blackwater Partnership.
Liz Donovan, municipal district officer for the Kanturk/Mallow area this week told local councillors that a Part 8 planning application had been lodged with the council for the project.
“The closing date for submissions has been set for Wednesday, November 9 and we hope to come before the area committee seeking approval for the scheme in December,” said Ms Donovan.
“Meanwhile, we have been working behind the scenes on the tender process to appoint a contractor. Assuming the planning application is approved in December, we will be in a position to commence work on the project straight away”, she added.
Council engineer John O’Dell said the new walkway would complement the existing one up to Mallow Bridge that was put in place by the authority last year.
“The plan will involve the construction of a new footbridge over the river linking the Town Park to Mallow Castle and the upgrading of existing paths on castle lands adjacent to the river,” said Mr O’Dell.
It will also entail the upgrading of an existing metal footbridge at the other end of the Town Park and the installation of new seating and signage.
James Fogarty, divisional manager with Cork County Council, which purchased the 24-acre park from the Jephson family for just over €1million last year, said the project was key element in the overall plan for the development of local amenities in Mallow.
“It represents the first of many potential partnership opportunities between us and Avondhu Blackwater under the umbrella of the Local and Community Development Committee,” said Mr Fogarty.
“We can now look forward to significant further funding for the North Cork region with the roll-out of the new LEADER programme 2014-2020,” he added.