Planning starts on greenway from Kilbeggan to Mullingar

Kilbeggan looks set to become a key hub on Ireland’s greenways network, as moves begin to create a connection point between the Royal Canal and the Grand Canal.

A new greenway is proposed for development between Mullingar and Kilbeggan and the public is being asked to chip in with ideas on what route it should take.

At present, the route is at ‘blank sheet’ stage, but on Wednesday of next week, October 13, a drop-in consultation event is being held at the Kilbeggan Harbour Centre, organised by Offaly County Council, Westmeath County Council, TOBIN Consulting Engineers and LUC Consulting, who are collaborating to bring the project to fruition. The project is being project managed by Offaly County Council on behalf of Westmeath County Council under a Section 149A agreement.

According to the consulting firms, the responses from this initial engagement with the public will be translated into a number of greenway route options for further consultation later in the project.

Their vision is that the greenway will aim to link the Grand Canal (Kilbeggan Branch) Greenway at Kilbeggan and the Old Rail Trail (Dublin Galway Greenway) at Mullingar, via Lough Ennell and other important amenity areas in the area. The developers say they are interested in hearing the views from the public on where the greenway should be routed; on what local visitor attractions and ‘points of interest’ should be included along the greenway route, and where ancillary facilities such as rest stops and viewing points should be located.

Brian Gallagher of Tobin Consulting Engineers said the hope is that the new route can be completely off road, if at all possible.

He added that at this stage they are open to suggestions that the route will travel either to the east or the west of Lough Ennell.

“It is that broad,” he said.

He stressed, however, that if there are landowners along any possible routes who have reservations about allowing the greenway route across their lands, they should make their feelings known at this early stage.

Mr Gallagher went on to say that it was too early to say what sort of timeline is involved as an application for funding will have to be made, and considered.

The mayor of the Athlone Moate Municipal District, Cllr Liam McDaniel, who is from Kilbeggan, has welcomed the move to provide the new link.