New Active Travel Routes Open in Ringaskiddy and Carrigaline

Cork County Council has officially opened major new walking and cycling infrastructure in two East Cork communities, marking a significant step forward in the region's sustainable transport network.

The €3.8 million Ringaskiddy Active Travel and Urban Realm Scheme was unveiled on Wednesday, 3rd September 2025, alongside a new 500-metre pedestrian and cycle route connecting northeast Carrigaline to the town centre.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley, Minister of State Jerry Buttimer TD, and Cork County Council Chief Executive Moira Murrell officially opened both projects, which represent a combined investment in safer, more sustainable transport options for local communities.

Ringaskiddy Transformation

The Ringaskiddy scheme delivers a transformative upgrade to the village centre, featuring a new 3-metre-wide segregated path extending 1.75 kilometres from the Port of Cork entrance through the village to Gobby beach. The project, completed by Coffey Construction Ltd, was jointly funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Cork County Council.

Key improvements include enhanced pedestrian crossings, traffic calming measures, upgraded public lighting, and extensive landscaping featuring wildflower grass verges and rain gardens. The scheme creates new community spaces whilst establishing safer routes for pedestrians and cyclists through this busy industrial village.

The project gains additional significance as construction of the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy motorway progresses, with completion scheduled for summer 2028. The new motorway will redirect heavy goods vehicle traffic away from the village centre, allowing the enhanced public realm to flourish.

Carrigaline Connection

The parallel development in Carrigaline establishes a 4-metre-wide pedestrian and cycle route along the former railway line, connecting Bridgemount Road to Herons Wood. Delivered by McGinty & O'Shea Ltd with National Transport Authority funding, this route forms the first phase of a broader active travel network planned to link the city boundary north of Passage West to Crosshaven and Ringaskiddy.

Community Benefits

Cllr Mary Linehan Foley, Mayor of the County of Cork:

"The schemes in Ringaskiddy and Carrigaline are more than just footpaths and cycleways. They are creating safer, healthier and more vibrant areas. I would like to thank the communities in both locations for their ongoing support especially during the construction works."

Minister Jerry Buttimer TD emphasised the broader health and educational benefits: "Both schemes provide their local communities with an array of benefits including providing safe facilities for students to travel to schools, providing healthy and sustainable options for short local trips, contributing to improvements in health and wellbeing and creating a more pleasant and peaceful environment for residents and communities."

Strategic Vision

The projects reflect Cork County Council's commitment to sustainable development and village regeneration. Chief Executive Moira Murrell highlighted how the Ringaskiddy scheme supports the area's role as gateway to major port, naval and pharmaceutical facilities, whilst the Carrigaline route begins the transformation of the town's transport connectivity.

Peter Walsh, CEO of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, noted how the projects demonstrate innovative collaboration between state agencies and local authorities, reallocating road space from cars to people whilst major infrastructure development continues.

The schemes represent significant progress in Cork County's active travel ambitions, providing immediate community benefits whilst laying foundations for the integrated transport network planned across the greater Cork harbour area.