ALMOST €3million in funding has been allocated for walking and cycling routes in West Cork including €500,000 for the Cork to Schull stretch of the West Cork Greenway, and €300,000 to extend the Joe Walsh Walkway in Clonakilty.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) announced the funding under the Active Travel and Safe Route to School schemes.

A further €300,000 in funding has been allocated to restore and secure the Kilnagross Footbridge which will allow and extension of the Joe Walsh Walkway, Clonakilty.

‘It’s great to see funding made available for the further extension of this incredible amenity,’ Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity and Cork South West Deputy Christopher O’Sullivan said.

‘I’ve always felt there is scope to bring this walkway back into Shannonvale, finally connecting this village to Clonakilty via safe cycling and pedestrian access.

‘There is also potential for a river walk along the Argideen to be incorporated, so seeing a further allocation of €300,000 is very welcome because this walkway has proven incredibly popular since it opened.’

As part of the funding package, TII allocated €500,000 to West Cork Greenways.

‘I would urge council to focus their efforts on the most achievable and common sense section, which is Clonakilty to Inchydoney,’ Deputy O’Sullivan said. ‘A lot of preparatory work has been done by community groups to facilitate that.’

Fine Gael Senator Noel O’Donovan also welcomed the funding which he said ‘will go a long way to help make West Cork safer for cyclists and pedestrians, as well as children going to and from school’.

Beneficiaries under the Active Travel scheme include Kinsale (€250,000), Bandon (€220,000), Bantry (€220,000) and Skibbereen (€200,000). Safe Route to School funding will be provided for St Patrick’s BNS, Skibbereen (€100,000), St Joseph’s GNS, Skibbereen (€100,000), St Mary’s Rosscarbery (€20,000), Rath NS Baltimore (€100,000), Gaelscoil Mhichíl Uí Choileáin, Clonakilty (€380,000), Coomhola NS (€30,000).