Council insist planned €1.4 million Mallow Bridge boardwalk remains high on their agenda
HOWEVER, FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT REMAINS A MAJOR STUMBLING BLOCK
A SENIOR Cork County Council official has insisted the planned €1.4 million boardwalk project at Mallow Bridge remains a priority and the only issue blocking its progression is lack of funding.
The ambitious project, which was given Part 8 planning approval by the authority back in 2011, makes provision for the construction of a new walkway on the western side of the bridge, the creation of a third traffic land and the demolition of the public toilet block.
It also includes the relocation of the 1916 memorial to the northern side of the bridge.
In 2012 the authority was granted €50,000 in funding for preliminary design works on the project. However, the scrapping of the NRA’s Specific Improvement Scheme, which would have funded the entire scheme, meant that it was out on hold.
The issue resurfaced in a motion placed before the council’s northern area committee by Cllr John Paul O’Shea (Ind) in which he sought an update on the scheme’s progress and what funding streams may be available to bring it to fruition.
Cllr O’Shea said he was aware the council had sought EU funding for projects in Mallow and been allocated €1 million for the development of a cultural centre at the town hall.
“I know that the boardwalk was also part of that funding application. I wanted to ensure that it had not slipped off the agenda,” said Cllr O’Shea.
“This will be a vital piece of infrastructure for the town and it is important that when funding does become available, either nationally or internationally, we will be ‘shovel-ready’ to deal with the application process,” said Cllr O’Shea.
Cllr Melissa Mullane (SF) agreed, saying that the boardwalk “must stay on the agenda” and asking how soon could the authority go back and request more funding for the project.
Municipal District Officer Liz Donovan moved to assure councillors the project remained high on the council’s list of priorities
“It always has been. It is project that we, and the people of Mallow, think of first when any funding stream become available. Cork County Council will continue to endeavour to source all suitable funding streams specifically with this project in mind,” said Ms Donovan.
She said that while the roads design department were “waiting for us to give the nod” in relation to a detailed design for the scheme, it would not be prudent to do so due to cost and the “significant risk” that design/contract documents would be out of date if a suitable funding stream was not found imminently
“We would love it if funding were to be come available in the morning as our preferred option would be to move ahead with the entire project hand in glove,” she said.
Senior council official Mary Hayes said the council was exploring a variety of different avenues for funding, pointing out that the fact Part 8 planning was already in place would be a distinct advantage.
Divisional manager James Fogarty also weighed in on the debate saying he was personally committed to the board-walk.
“You have my word that it is the number two priority behind the town hall theatre and will remain so,” he promised.
“It just requires the funding to move it forward,” he added.