Greenway route linking Thomastown and Rathwire unanimously approved

A 1.7km walk and cycle link between Thomastown and Rathwire was unanimously approved at a full meeting of Westmeath County Council last week and the hope is that it would be ready for use by next summer.

Just Transition Funding has been secured, plus matching funding from the council, for the three-metre-wide pedestrian and cycleway linking the Royal Canal harbour at Thomastown with St Joseph’s school in Rathwire. New boundary fences, entrances and hedges, a bridge, signs and lighting, and parking facilities are included.

The surface will be suitable for cyclists, pedestrians, buggies and wheelchair users. Access will be at several locations along the route. Fencing will be stockproof and native hedging will be planted. All existing hedges and trees will be preserved and the strip between the track and boundary fence will be grassed.

Map boards, tourist information and direction signs will be erected along with cycle stands and benches along the route.

During the public consultation process, one submission was received – from Green Party councillor, Hazel Smyth – on behalf of Mullingar Sustainable Energy Community. The submission acknowledged the benefits to the area in terms of social, community, economic and tourism benefits. It recognised that the development was consistent with the Climate Adaptation Strategy to link local villages and greenways, and provide communities with safe, enjoyable and environmentally-friendly active travel routes.

The submission further referenced that the proposal will provide residents of Killucan and Rathwire, school-goers and visitors to the area with safe, scenic and carbon-free access to the greenway.

It also called for native trees, hedging and wildflowers to be planted along the route, to further enhance environmental benefits of the scheme. It is also requested that the council provide clear signs on access to the route, dog foul bins, signs to ask cyclists and scooter users to respect pedestrians, and public lighting from 5pm to 9pm during the winter months.

The submission called for the protection of any existing habitats that may be affected. Finally, it requested that the route be extended in the future to Kinnegad, Cunningham’s Pub, Coralstown and The Downs.

Addressing the council meeting, chief executive, Pat Gallagher, welcomed the submission and gave an assurance that supplementary planting of native species of trees, hedgerows and wildflowers would be carried out. In his report, he said that regarding dog foul bins and additional signs, it should be noted that the council promotes an ‘any bin will do’ and ‘Leave No Trace’ policy.

He pointed out that Cunningham’s Pub is adjacent to Heatherstown Bridge, which is currently served by the Royal Canal Greenway. The proposed route will link Killucan and Rathwire to the Royal Canal Greenway and on to Heatherstown Bridge.

An ecology impact assessment and where required, a cultural heritage and archaeological assessment will be carried out.

Cllr John Shaw proposed that the development go ahead, remarking that it has been in the pipeline for years. He thanked the council staff involved, including Paul McCool, Pat Kavanagh and Martin Murray. He said that people around Killucan and Rathwire were excited that it was coming to fruition, adding that it will give users a great opportunity to see the local countryside.

It will form a link to the greenway at Thomastown and back into Mullingar, he observed, and said it would be great to see it being used by next summer.

Seconding the proposal, Cllr Denis Leonard remembered the “ferocious campaign” fought 20 years ago to stop a dump going along the Royal Canal at Thomastown. It is wonderful to see, instead of a dump, we will actually have a wonderful amenity to add to what is a lovely area of Westmeath, he remarked.

Cllr Leonard said the amenity will give Killucan access to the Royal Canal, “which is one of the most incredible amenities in our area for flora, fauna, for recreation, fishing, for everything”.

He remarked that it would be beside St Joseph’s, Rathwire, “a wonderful primary school with an autism unit and going from strength to strength” and close to Columba College, Killucan. “From a schools point of view it is absolutely vital,” he said.

The development will form part of the council’s loop proposal which would eventually link Killucan and Kinnegad, connecting a lot of amenities along the way, Cllr Leonard concluded.

Cllr Hazel Smyth, a past pupil of St Joseph’s, Rathwire, said she was “absolutely delighted to see this project is coming to fruition”. She was “also really happy to see that as part of this, my submission will be considered and that there will be supplementary native trees, hedgerows and wild flowers”. She asked that the many valuable mature specimen trees along this route be protected too.

Cllr Emily Wallace asked if Google maps would be updated on completion of the project and if the ever-soaring cost of building materials was factored in. She was also anxious that adequate lighting would be provided, especially at Thomastown Harbour and at junctions. She described the project as “very exciting and the potential for the area is immense”.

“I hope we see it come to fruition sooner rather than later,” she said.

In response, Mr Gallagher reaffirmed that the council will be getting expert advice to make sure they respect and conserve the natural heritage of the area. He agreed that increasing construction costs are a factor in any project of this nature, and while the grant from the Just Transition fund is an approved amount, the council will be seeking to manage the budget tightly. Lighting will be provided where necessary and the updating of Google maps can be done when the project is completed.