Council unveils three-year spending plan
MACROOM BYPASS, FERMOY WEIR AND NORTH CORK ARTS CENTRE INCLUDED IN ‘AMBITIOUS’ CAPITAL SPENDING PLAN
KEY projects across north and mid- Cork have been included in Cork County Council’s ambitious Capital spending programme.
Under the €517 million plan funding will be set aside for works on the Fermoy Weir, the refurbishment of the Briery Gap in Macroom, the North Cork Arts Centre in Mallow, new fire stations in Kanturk and Macroom and work on the N22 Macroom-Ballyvourney Bypass.
SENIOR officials with Cork County Council have laid out how the authority intends to finance key infrastructural projects across the county over the next three years.
The authority has identified a number of projects with an estimated spend of €517.6 million that it intends to proceed under its Capital Programme (2017-2019) – with a number of key initiatives across north and mid- Cork being given priority.
Presenting the plan to councillors at County Hall this week, the authority’s Head of Finance, Lorraine Lynch, described it as an “ambitious” rolling programme that will be reviewed on an annual basis.
“The plan is a good indication of what the Council hopes to achieve over the next three years,” said Ms Lynch.
Presented under a variety of headings, the plan revealed the council’s intention to address areas of concern, the provision of new housing being key among these.
It has set a target of delivering some 1,217 new housing units over the next three years at an estimated cost of €80.6 million, with some 498 of those to be completed by the end of this year.
“The target will be met by progressing a mix of acquisitions, turnkey developments, refurbishments, the development of council owned schemes, leasing, RAS and the Capital Assistance Scheme. Ten of these will be completed in Fermoy in early 2017,” read the report.
Funding of €163.6 million has been allocated to roads, with a share of the €86.7 million allocated for National Roads going towards the N22 Macroom – Ballyvourney Bypass, €9.7 million to regional roads, €3.3 million for footpath improvements and €4.4 million for public lighting.
A sum of €42.3 million has been allocated to various flood relief, coastal protection and other related works, with the authority also aiming to invest €7.2 million in its ageing stock of vehicles and plant machinery.
The authors of the plan also include a number of recreation and amenity projects, including works to the Fermoy Weir, the refurbishment of the fire-damaged Briery Gap Cultural Centre in Macroom, the redevelopment of Mallow Town Hall into a North Cork Arts Centre and the continuation of works at the Ballincollig Regional Park.
The council has also earmarked €8.1 million to its fire services department, including provision for a new HQ, the replacement of vehicles and the provision of new fire stations in Macroom, Kanturk and Clonakilty.
Other monies allocated include €12.2 for public realm works, €2.9 million for burial grounds, €2.7 for libraries and €4.5 million for traffic and transportation measures including a new pay parking management system.
Further specific issues that will be addressed over the lifetime of the Capital Programme will include town CCTV projects, works at council owned leisure centres, amenity walkways and promoting tourism.