Members of Fermoy Town Council have agreed to adopt Cork County Council’s Walking and Cycling Strategy for the town even though they’re not sure as yet what projects they’ll be applying for funding for under the initiative.

With the deadline for applications looming, it was agreed to adopt the plan and leave it to the traffic management sub-committee and council officials to decide what projects to submit.

Town Clerk Pauline Moriarty advised members that the council is considering seeking funding for two to three projects to be implemented as part of the three-year plan. Only four to five applications will be considered overall from all of the designated Active Travel Towns combined, so 30 other towns with the same designation will be seeking funding. The recommendation was that they set up an Active Travel Towns committee, the town clerk told them, but they already had that in the traffic management sub-committee. “Community support is the key” she said. Cllr.

Noel Barnes pointed out that there is someone in the town who has worked on planning cycle routes in Europe whose input could be valuable.

CONCERNS

Mayor Olive Corcoran had some reservations about the implementation of the plan, and said she was worried about the possible loss of parking spaces. Cllr. Seamus Coleman asked the town clerk if members could see what projects they are applying for funding for. She agreed, explaining that they are projects the council already have plans for.

As they have no meeting before the October 5th deadline for applications, Cllr. Tadhg O’Donovan proposed adopting the strategy, seconded by Cllr. John Murphy.