A BANDON-based Councillor has warned that the new multi-million extension to the Clare O’Leary Walk in Bandon risks being underutilised during the autumn and winter months because there is no lighting in place.

Cllr Ann Bambury (SD) raised the issue at a meeting of Bandon Kinsale Municipal District and said it’s fantastic to see people using it regularly especially as it was a significant community investment, but that at a cost of €3.5m it’s vital it’s made fully usable.

The controversial extension to the walkway was officially opened late last month by Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien.

There had been much disquiet in Bandon about the cost of the 2.8km extension and the delay in construction as well as the lack of parking, rubbish bins and lights.

Cllr Bambury said that ducting for future lighting was installed during its construction but no lights are in place currently.

‘Properly lit, this walkway could transform Bandon life in winter and leaving it dark is a missed opportunity that should be urgently addressed,’ said Cllr Bambury.

She said that from late October through to March daylight hours in Bandon shrink dramatically and that by mid-winter darkness falls as early as 4.30pm, while mornings remain dark until after 8am.

‘Without lighting residents, particularly families, workers and older adults cannot safely use the walkway during these times, leaving a multi-million-euro investment under-utilised for months at a time.’

Cllr Bambury said a huge number of constituents had been onto her about the issue. Bandon Kinsale Municipal District manager Padraig Barrett said that from a carbon point of view, Cork County Council has to very careful where they use lights.

He said installing lights generally depends on the amount of funding available to them and he wasn’t sure Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) funding would extend to lighting for the walkway.

‘The extension of the Joe Walsh Walkway in Clonakilty has lights as it is going to a destination but the Clare O’Leary Walk doesn’t go to a particular destination,’ he said.

Mr Barrett indicated that he would talk to Transport Infrastructure Ireland on the issue.