July 25 deadline for greenway submissions

July 25 is the deadline for submissions to Westmeath County Council on the route of the proposed Kilbeggan to Mullingar Greenway Project.

There is one ‘emerging preferred route’ corridor, and the council is seeking views on it. The options were laid out for the public at an event at Bloomfield House Hotel on Thursday last, June 19. The aim is a greenway connecting the Grand Canal Greenway and the Old Rail Trail and Royal Canal Greenways.

“This will provide a high-quality greenway, designed to promote cycling, walking and other non-motorised travel,” the council said.

The emerging preferred route corridor starts at Kilbeggan Harbour and includes a section along the river Brosna to Ballinagore. From Ballinagore, it continues north to just south of Lough Ennell. It includes a corridor linking it to Lilliput Adventure Centre.

It then goes eastward to Dalystown, turns north and continuing to the east of Lough Ennell. Taking in Carrick Wood and Belvedere House and Gardens, the route continues north around Lough Ennell to Lynn Road and joins the Old Rail Trail.

An online portal has been created via which the full details can be viewed and through which submissions on the emerging preferred route corridor can be made.

The project began in 2003 when the firm RPS was engaged to start the ball rolling on planning, and the first public consultation on the proposal took place in May 2023.