The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Joe Carroll, and Tánaiste Micheál Martin TD, officially inaugurated the €11.7 million critical infrastructure project at Water-Rock near Midleton. This development is set to support 2,500 homes, three schools, a neighborhood center, a railway station, and parks.
Constructed by BAM and funded by the Government’s Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) and Cork County Council, the works include 1.7 km of link roads, surface water drainage, services, public lighting, and landscaping. AtkinsRéalis completed the design and planning of the infrastructure. This new road is a vital component of the Water-Rock Urban Expansion Area, with planning permission already granted for 1,400 residential units, and construction of housing along the road has commenced.
Sustainability and biodiversity were key focuses of the project. Initiatives included transplanting a population of the rare Bee Orchid, re-using approved site-won material and locally sourced general fill material to reduce the carbon footprint, and using LED heads for public and task lighting to minimize energy consumption during construction.
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Joe Carroll, stated: “This new road infrastructure will be hugely beneficial for Midleton and East Cork. It opens the available land for much-needed housing without burdening existing infrastructure. The construction of housing is underway, and eventually, there will be 2,500 homes in this area. The infrastructure also supports compact growth and sustainable development. We have wonderful wide footpaths and cycle lanes already being used by the local community. In time, there will be parks, schools, a new railway station, and a connection to the Cork to Midleton interurban cycleway, all of which will benefit the wider community.
The road was officially opened on Friday, 12th July, with an opening ceremony. The Water-Rock LIHAF initiative also won the award for Best Innovation in Urban Planning at the 2023 LAMA Awards.
