Cork County Council welcomes an additional funding boost for the development of the Midleton Youghal Greenway, which follows the route of the disused railway line from Midleton Train Station to the former Youghal Train Station.

Department of Transport funding for the development of the Greenway will now be provided at a rate of 100%. The overall funding secured by Cork County Council for the development stands at €19.8 million.

The Mayor of the County of Cork, Councillor Mary Linehan Foley, said:

Increased funding for the Midleton Youghal Greenway is a very positive story for East Cork and underscores the value of investing in our walking and cycling amenities which have been so important to local communities, particularly in recent months. The Greenway has huge potential to support our local communities and businesses in the post-Covid recovery and will be a major tourism asset not just for the local area but for the wider county.

Welcoming the news, Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey said:

This is a very positive result for County Cork and completion of this project over the next two years will be a priority for the Council. The Greenway has the potential to be transformational for the area. Not only will it support sustainable transport initiatives by enhancing and extending cycling infrastructure within the county, it will also have significant amenity benefits and will contribute positively to health, wellbeing and overall quality of life, as well as climate adaptation.

Mr. Lucey emphasised the importance of the Midleton Youghal Greenway to the local economy, noting “It has been a very challenging environment for local businesses in recent months however I am confident that the development of the Greenway will have the potential to stimulate and support the economic recovery of local businesses, particularly in the tourism and hospitality sectors’.

The 23km long, off-road route connects the key towns and villages of Midleton, Mogeely, Killeagh and Youghal and will provide a level gradient suitable for users of all ages and abilities as a safe, accessible and attractive route for cycling and walking.

Site clearance works currently being completed will see the removal of vegetation and remaining rails and railway sleepers as the first phase of the construction stage. Significant effort has been made to retain existing trees and hedgerows along the route corridor to protect habitat, conserve biodiversity and create opportunities for landscape and environment enhancement.

Construction works will commence in 2021 with planned completion in late 2022.