Footpath connectivity ‘vital’ in Ballynoe

Connectivity between Ballynoe National School and Ballynoe village is ‘vital’, according to Councillor William O’Leary, who sought an update regarding the construction of footpaths in the area.

“I think it is vital to have that level of connectivity from the school up to the GAA pitch and to the village,” Cllr O’Leary said.

He went on to query at the recent Fermoy Municipal District meeting, the long term aspiration regarding footpaths in the village and stated that the council should aspire to ‘safer routes’ for pedestrians.

The motion was widely supported by councillors at the monthly meeting.

‘SUBSTANTIAL’ DISTANCE TO COVER

In response, Senior Engineer with Cork County Counil Brendan O’Gorman, noted that the project commenced in 2021 on the village side, on foot of a successful Clár grant.

“We are in a position to install 200m of additional A grade blacktop from the school back to the Rock Junction under localised widening per 2022 RI and pending approval of future MD footpath grants and discretionary roads funds, we will eat into the remaining 540m with a concrete footpath to the village in 2022/2023,” Mr O’Gorman said.

Speaking at the Fermoy MD meeting last week, Mr O’Gorman noted that the difficulty with the project is the ‘substantial length’ from the school to the village.

“What we are doing this year is resurfacing from the Rock Junction to the school and doing some localised pointing there that will allow cars to park dropping or collecting their kids, but it will also allow a footpath to be marked on the ground,” Mr O’Gorman said.