Under Cork County Council’s Project ACT initiative, town teams in Fermoy and Mitchelstown are introducing a range of measures which are enhancing the safety, accessibility and appearance of their towns, supporting communities and driving economic activity.
The Town Teams include elected members of Cork County Council (Fermoy Municipal District (MD) Cathaoirleach Cllr. Frank O’Flynn, Cllr. Noel McCarthy, Cllr Deirdre O’Brien, Cllr Frank Roche, Cllr Kay Dawson and Cllr William O’Leary), business and community representatives including Fermoy Forum, Fermoy Resource Centre, Fermoy Tidy Towns, Members of the Vintners Federation, Mitchelstown MBA, Mitchelstown Enterprise Board, Mitchelstown Community Council, representatives from the hospitality sector, Mitchelstown Age Friendly Committee and members of An Garda Siochána, working together to identify key initiatives that best suit the interests of the local community.
To date, actions taken include a deep clean and decluttering of public spaces and footpaths, footpath repairs, replanting of flowerbeds, reassignment of public space for pedestrians and businesses, additional road and pavement markings and the designation of new Age-Friendly car parking spaces. Town Teams are also working to identify suitable areas for the addition of new street furniture.
Car parks in Fermoy where charges normally apply are currently free until 1st August 2020 and residents who hold Parking Permits in the areas where street parking has been reduced are encouraged to park their vehicles in the car parks when possible, to help support accessibility and social distancing.
Cork County Council has €110,000 Town Development funding available to Fermoy MD for the enhancement and upgrade of Fitzgerald Place / Market Place and Waterloo Lane, upgrading the pedestrian crossing at Mill Island Car Park and the Fermoy Painting Scheme. In Mitchelstown, the fund will support accessibility improvement works at St. George’s Arts and Heritage Centre, a public lighting upgrade, laneway at Lower Cork Street, footpath repair work and the Mitchelstown Painting Scheme.
Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Mary Linehan Foley congratulated the local community for working alongside Cork County Council to achieve these many improvements:
“Measures taken in Fermoy and Mitchelstown show how effectively a community can respond and adapt to challenges through collaboration. Our ability to come together and do what we can to improve our towns and villages is one of the greatest strengths we have in Cork and Fermoy and Mitchelstown are shining examples of this community spirit. We all have our part to play, and I encourage everyone to take advantage of the measures put in place, support your neighbours and local businesses as we continue to rise to the challenges of Covid 19. We can do this by shopping locally, and supporting one another while adhering to public health advice.”
Chief Executive of Cork County Council Tim Lucey added:
“The works that have taken place in Fermoy and Mitchelstown, designed to deliver for the community and economy of the Fermoy Municipal District, have been made possible by the phenomenal contributions from, and cooperation of, everyone involved in the Town Team. This unprecedented level of collaboration from all sectors of community life will be the platform for future growth and success throughout the region. Similar measures are taking place throughout the County, individually tailored to meet the needs identified locally to ensure the promotion of social distancing, maximisation of space for pedestrians and the enhancement of space for commercial activity. These measures show the resilience of our social and commercial spirit, and will foster growth for the County in these remarkable times.”
Cork County Council’s supports available to businesses were also outlined at Town Team Meetings, with representatives from the Council’s Local Enterprise Office and Economic Development and Tourism Directorate in attendance to provide advice and support. Cork County Council will support the Taste of Fermoy food festival and the Thomas Kent Symposium scheduled to take place later in the year, subject to social distancing and government guidelines.
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