Plans lodged for major cycle/walkway project on Offaly Bord na Móna lands
Offaly County Council is due to make a decision next February on plans by Bord na Móna for a major cycle and walkway trail on Bord na Móna lands in the county which would see almost 17,000 metres of existing former rail bed being repurposed to create the new tourism project.
Bord na Móna Energy Ltd has submitted a planning application for the development of a cycling 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 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.
In the past week, Westmeath County Council granted planning permission for a similar project on boglands in Westmeath, with the council's planning report stating that the development was part of an EU 'Just Transition' project which would see a Midlands Trail Network of connected walking and cycling trails being created across the Midlands, including in Offaly, Longford, Roscommon and Tipperary.
As well as repurposing 16,919 metres of existing former rail bed for the Offaly recreational development, it is also proposed to repurpose 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 planning application also includes upgrade works to ten local access road crossings and eight agricultural crossings, andthe provision of 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.