Greenways and blueways called for
A Kinsale Green Party representative is seeking to make improvements to the Cork County Development Plan as the public consultation phase comes to an end.
Many of the submissions made by Green Party local representative for Kinsale and Bandon Marc O’Riain, seek to increase the number of greenways and blueways linking Kinsale to Belgooley, Dunderrow, Inishannon and Bandon along the river.
Mr O’Riain said he feels there is a real need to link residential areas with schools and sports areas through the introduction of new pedestrian and cycle routes.
According to the Green Party member, this would reduce the demand for car journeys by offering climate friendly, safe, and healthy alternatives, thus bringing huge benefits to the local community.
Mr O’Riain has also submitted proposals for the completion of the Western and Northern relief roads around Kinsale in order to take beach-bound traffic away from the town.
He believes this would allow for much of town to become a one-way system with the permanent pedestrianisation of some streets and squares.
“Kinsale is a beautiful town with an incredible history and culture but we are seeing the deterioration of much of the architectural heritage within Kinsale,” he said.
The Green Party in Cork South-West is also calling for enforcement orders to stop the replacement of heritage windows with unsuitable form and materiality. The party wants to see an end to full window advertising which it believes is ruining the visual look of the medieval centre of Kinsale.
Mr O’Riain said his party is also seeking increased numbers of recycling bins to tackle problems with litter and overflowing bins. In the interest of natural biodiversity and appearance, the Green Party is asking for higher wildflower planting targets to be implemented, more utilisation of green spaces, and an outright ban on the use of pesticides in Kinsale.
“This plan is the most important one ever. The next decade is going to see enormous challenges from climate change and we need to now begin changing how we get around, how we live, and how our urban spaces work with nature.
“These are good for the health of our environment, but as importantly, they are good for our health, our wellbeing and our quality of life,” concluded Mr O’Riain.
The public consultation phase of the Cork County Development plan ended on 1 July having been on public display for ten weeks.
The County Chief Executive will now prepare a report on all submissions received which will then be given to elected members of Cork County Council in September for their consideration.