New Greenway addition as car park opens at Cappincur
There's been a new addition to the facilities along Offaly's Grand Canal Greenway, with the opening of a 27-space car park at Cappincur, 2km east of Tullamore.
Developed in the last three months, it includes two disabled spaces, as well as two e-charging spaces that are expected to become operational in a few weeks' time.
The opening of the car park comes as work is being completed on the Ballycommon to Daingean section of the Greenway.
Local councillor Tony McCormack welcomed the new facility, saying it had been put in place to resolve an issue with haphazard Greenway parking around Cappincur that had been blocking access for tractors and other vehicles.
"The roads department in Offaly County Council worked very quickly on the whole project and were working with Waterways Ireland on it. What we have there is a fantastic new car park that will facilitate almost 30 cars, including disabled spaces and electric charging spaces.
"The whole job looks really well. It's very tastefully done and it just goes to show what can be done if we put our minds to it and the different organisations like Waterways Ireland, the local community, the council and the councillors work together."
Last year Offaly County Council received funding to develop the Grand Canal Greenway from Daingean to Edenderry, and Cllr McCormack said that, despite some delays brought on by the pandemic, progress was being made on extending the popular amenity.
"It's very close to being finished between Ballycommon and Daingean, and they've started then from Edenderry working back towards Daingean, so there's quite a bit of it done at this stage," he said.
"It's a great amenity and it's going to be huge for tourism in the county because people these days are looking for healthier alternatives and activity holidays. This offers a new activity holiday in Offaly to match up with all of the other tourism products we have.
"People can start their walk or cycle from the likes of Edenderry, and they can cross the whole county and end up going as far as Pullough and across into Lough Boora. And it will end up finishing in Shannon Harbour," he said.