Greenway from Skibb to Baltimore would be a ‘game changer' says Cllr

A GREENWAY trail between Skibbereen and Baltimore could be a ‘game changer’ for both areas, according to one councillor.

Cllr Christopher O’Sullivan (FF) was speaking at a recent meeting of the Western Committee in Clonakilty, where he raised a motion calling for a feasibility study to be carried out on the provision of a Greenway trail between Skibbereen and Baltimore.

‘I know every area wants one but for me, a Greenway trail from Skibbereen to Baltimore makes absolute sense and it’s a game changer,’ said Cllr O’Sullivan.

‘Skibbereen is one of the big towns in West Cork and connecting it up to Baltimore, which is one of our gems and with our connectivity to the islands as well as being an area of marine activity means it makes sense to link up the two areas.’

He cited the Waterford Greenway trail as a perfect example of how popular these trails are and pointed out that footfall has increased by 50% to the area since the trail was opened earlier this year and wants this feasibility study to look at the pinch points of setting up one between Skibbereen and Baltimore.

Cllr Joe Carroll (FF) said he welcomed what his colleague was proposing but re-iterated that what they need first between Skibbereen and Baltimore is a proper road.

‘If it can be done, that would be great, but I’d want a proper road first as it’s a nightmare driving between the two places. Then we can look at a Greenway,’ said Cllr Carroll.

Cllr O’Sullivan then thanked Cllr Carroll for his ‘cautious support’ to his motion and it was agreed that a feasibility study would be carried out depending on the resources that are available.

Council official Mac Dara O h-Icí said they could look at funding the feasibility study through the general municipal allowance (GMA) but Cllr O’Sullivan said going through the Economic Development Fund (EDF) would be better.