Residents object to new Greenway plans for Tullamore

Residents in Pearse Park, O'Molloy St and surrounding areas are "astounded" at plans by Offaly County Council to take away their green space on the banks of the Grand Canal and fell 50-year-old trees as part of the proposed Greenway project.

The planned new Greenway will run through Tullamore from the east to the Shannon in the west

"The residents only became aware of this development when they got letters through their doors in March this year and realised that the treasured green area on the canal beside Pearse Park was to be taken away and the beautiful trees felled.

"The residents claim that only some houses got letters and it is only now that the whole area is becoming aware of the proposed development and they strongly oppose this move," outlined Cllr Sean O' Brien.

Cllr O'Brien said an engineer from the council met residents from the area this week and explained the plans, including a plannned new junction at Clara Bridge. "This was the first that the residents knew of these developments and they are astounded. There is total opposition to this and the engineer was asked to look at the design again," he said.

As part of their opposition to the plans for the area, the residents have called a public meeting, which will take place in the Town Hall on Cormac Street on Tuesday evening of next week, June 20, at 6pm.

"I am fully supporting the residents and I hope that the council will have a plan which will meet the requests of the local residents," concluded Cllr O'Brien.