'Lack of consultation' claims over West Offaly greenway plan

There has been a lack of consultation with the local community by Bord na Móna in its bid to create a network of cycling and walkway trails across a section of bogland in West Offaly, it has been claimed.

The plans, which would see almost see almost 17,000 metres of existing former rail bed being repurposed to create a new tourism project in an area stretching from Cloncraff/Bloomhill on the Westmeath border to Lumcloon and Broughal, have now been placed on hold by Offaly County Council planners who have requested further information on the proposed project.

A number of submissions received by the council raised what was described as the lack of consultation with local farmers and also expressed concerns about anti-social behaviour, littering, and the possibility of disturbance to wildlife and livestock as a result of the development.

Among those to make submissions is West Offaly Fine Gael Cllr Hugh Egan who welcomed any amenity or initiative “to enhance the West Offaly area” but took issue with the “the lack of consultation locally” and the “intrusion into their lives” that the proposed walking and cycling trails will bring to local landowners and residents.

Among the issues which Cllr Egan said had been highlighted to him by the local community, and which need to be addressed, were: fencing to ensure that dogs and strangers “do not alarm livestock and their progeny”; littering which he added local landowners have “already seen on Bord na Móna bogs” and disturbance to wildlife, notably badgers in an area which is “a high incidence TB area.”

Cllr Egan's submission also noted “the excessive proposal of car parking areas” which he said could lead to anti-social behaviour. Describing the Bord na Móna project as being “a badly thought out plan” he added that the company had “given no thought or appreciation to the local people” who will be most impacted by the proposed development. His submission said there were “major inaccuracies, incorrect information, no research and no consultation locally” by the company, and said local families who have “lived and been neighbours of these lands for generations have a right for their concerns to be addressed”.

Another submissions from Endrim farmer, Michael Keenagan, expressed concerns about the walkway at the end of his land as part of the Bord na Móna development and queried whether fencing would be provided to prevent dogs from entering his lands.

“An an active farmer of my land I do not want dog foul (bagged or loose) in my bales of silage,” said the submission, with Mr Keenaghan adding that he also does not want dogs running through his fields and disturbing his livestock.

He also expressed concerns about the proposed car park, and queried what measures would be put in place to ensure it will not become “an ideal spot for anti-social carry on.” He added that his elderly mother lives in the area and he does not want her to be “intimidated in her own area”.

A 48-page submission from Banagher engineer Kieran Keenaghan, which includes numerous photographs, questions the viability of Bord na Móna's plans for the bogs in Offaly, and raises a number of “significant concerns” about the shared cycle and walkway project.

Mr Keenaghan says he is “sceptical” about the demand for cycling infrastructure in an area of such “sparse population" and notes that most people “do not cycle regularly” and prefer routes “with amenities.” He also argues strongly that bog headlands are “ideal for walking and cycling” and require “minimal intervention” such as paved roads.

In relation to previous projects undertaken by Bord na Móna, Mr Keenaghan's submission cites “poor standards and a lack of consultation” with local communities.” He also takes issue with the proposal for the construction of a new pedestrian and cycle bridge spanning the Grand Canal within the Turraun townsland, which form part of the Bord na Móna plans, and says there is “no justification” for such a structure,. “User numbers are definitely not there to justify such an intrusion in a beautiful and peaceful countryside setting,” the submission says, adding that the proposed bridge “will look awful” and “must not be allowed.”

As part of the planning application, Bord na Móna included letters of consent from four landowners for realignment works to existing vegetation in proximity to road verges on their lands.

In a request for further information Offaly County Council planners expressed concerns about the proposed new bridge which they described as “a substantial structure” and said it requires “further justification”.

The council also said it had “serious concerns” about the possibility of “any unauthorised parking” that may take place along the N62 by patrons accessing the “potential direct access” to the proposed trail from the N62, and asked Bord na Móna to submit further information detailing the proposed trail termination points, boundary treatments and measures to prevent “direct access from the N62 and unauthorised parking along the N62.”

Bord na Móna Energy Ltd is seeking planning permission for the development of the 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 plans would see almost 17,000 metres of existing former rail bed being repurposed to create a new tourism project, along with the repurposing of 8,960 metres along Bord na Móna bog headlands/former high fields.

The proposed shared cycle and walkway would connect into the Grand Canal Way, the Offaly Way and the Lough Boora Adventure Trails, and would include upgrade works to Brosna Bridge and the construction of a new pedestrian and cycle bridge spanning the Grand Canal within the Turraun townsland.

Also proposed as part of the project is an upgrading of ten local access road crossings and eight agricultural crossings; and the provision of car and bicycle parking facilities at a number of gateway locations along the proposed route; EV charging spaces and wayfinding and signage.

A total of four rest points are also to be provided for walkers and cyclists, as well as fencing and screening.