Bord na Móna unveils plans for major Offaly cycleway
Bord na Móna has signalled its intention to seek planning permission for an ambitious tourism project in Offaly involving the repurposing of existing rail beds to create a shared cycle and walkway network on lands formerly used for peat extraction.
The company plans to develop the cycle and walkway trail on its lands in the townslands of Cloncraff/Bloomhill; Clonascra; Ballyduff; Clonaderg; Doon Demesne; Lackagh Beg; Lackagh More; Cormore and Corbeg; Corbane; Ballydaly; Kilcolgan Beg; Turraun; Leabeg; Leamore; Oughter; Derrymore; Bunakeeran; Lumcloon and Broughal.
The delivery of the project will involve the repurposing of 16,919 metres of existing former rail bed and 8.960 metres along existing Bord na Móna bog headlands/former high fields.
The proposed shared cycle and walkway is designed to connect into the Grand Canal Way, the Offaly Way and the Lough Boora Adventure Trails.
Upgrade works to Brosna Bridge and the construction of a new pedestrian and cycle bridge spanning the Grand Canal within the Turraun townsland also form part of the Bord na Móna plans. The company also plans to carry out upgrade works to ten local access road crossings and eight agricultural crossings, and to provide car and bicycle parking facilities at a number of Gateway locations along the proposed route, along with EV charging spaces and wayfinding and interpretative signage.
A total of four rest points are also to be provided for walkers and cyclists, and the plans also make provision for fencing and screening, including 14,909 metres of ecological screening.
As part of their plans to become the leading provider of renewable energy and climate solutions following the winding down of their peat operations, Bord na Móna launched their Brown to Green Strategy in 2018.
The Bord na Móna Ecology team has reported that 15,000 hectares of peatland have now been rehabilitated which will rise to 35,000 hectares by 2025.
The Offaly tourism project by Bord na Móna is being planned against a backdrop of EU Just Transition Funding being made available to Bord Fáilte to support the transition of the Midlands to a carbon neutral destination. The fund is designed to support projects which have significant regenerative impacts on local communities and peatlands.