Public’s views sought on 16km Grand Canal Greenway extension

A public consultation process is starting today (Friday) on Offaly County Council's plans for a 16-kilometre extension to the Grand Canal Greenway.

CAPTION: Griffith Bridge at Shannon Harbour, where this latest phase of the Grand Canal Greenway will finish.

The local authority is proposing the development of a 16.2km shared walking and cycling Greenway route along the towpath of the Grand Canal. The route is from Turraun (junction with Offaly Way) to Griffith Bridge, Shannon Harbour.

The proposal "represents an extension to the Grand Canal Greenway (Phase 1), from Tullamore to Lough Boora Discovery Park, via Turraun," the council stated.

A period of public consultation, required as an element of the Part 8 Planning Process for the development, begins today, and submissions on the project can be made until Friday, September 25.

The Greenway development will require "improvements to the existing towpath along the Grand Canal" with quarry dust, surface dressing or asphalt (tarmac) to be used, depending on local conditions.

Traffic safety measures and signage are due to be put in place to facilitate pedestrian and cycling crossings at Derry Bridge, Belmont Bridge (Lock 33), Clonony Bridge and Griffith Bridge.

In total, there are eight protected structures located adjacent to the proposed route, three of which - L'Estrange Bridge in Clonony More, Judges Bridge in Ballyshiel, and Gallen Bridge - are considered to be "materially affected" by the proposed development. The other protected structures along the route are Griffith Bridge in Shannon Harbour, Clonony Bridge (Lock 34), Belmont Bridge (Lock 33), Glyn Bridge, and Derry Bridge. The council said an environmental screening report had been prepared which showed that the development was unlikely to have any significant effects on the environment.

Phase 1 of the greenway involves 21km along the towpath of the Canal from Digby Bridge (Cappincur townland) east of Tullamore to Turraun, where the route travels south and connect with the existing Lough Boora cycle path and terminate at Lough Boora Discovery Park. The plans are available for inspection at the council offices in Tullamore and Birr until September 25 and can also be viewed online at: www.offaly.ie/eng/Services/Planning/Public-Consultation/

Submissions or observations on the plans can be made in writing to the Planning Section of Offaly County Council, Áras an Chontae, Charleville Road, Tullamore, Offaly, or by email to greenwaysubs@offalycoco.ie and should be marked 'Greenway'.