Athlone to Galway cycleway plan resurrected

“Bicycle, bicycle, bicycle. I want to ride my bicycle, bicycle, bicycle,” sang Queen famously back in 1978. Now, getting on your bike at Athlone Castle and heading all the way to Galway off-road is moving a significant step forward, following news that tenders are being sought for the planning and design of the controversial greenway section traversing parts of South Roscommon, Offaly and East Galway.

Westmeath County Council is looking for tenders from consultants to carry out civil engineering consultancy services, highway consultancy work, bridge and engineering design services, for the Athlone Castle to Galway stage of the project.

The latest stage of the cycleway to finalise the 130km path to Galway had been paused at the route selection stage back in 2015, following vociferous opposition by local landowners, particularly in East Galway, due to what they felt was a lack of consultation and the use of CPOs to acquire land.

Then in 2018, Minister Shane Ross announced that the section from Athlone Castle to Galway city would recommence following the publication of 'Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways' setting out best practice for engagement with stakeholders on the massive tourism amenity project.

The preferred route is proposed to run from Athlone town to Ballinasloe via Shannonbridge, following the rail line to Daneshill before turning southwards in Roscommon. 

“Land severance here is minimised via skirting privately owned land and Bord na Mona bogs. The route then continues southwards through Crannagh More and Garryngowna before moving south east towards Cregganbeaka, close to the River Shannon with views of Clonmacnoise,” the tender documents state. 

From there the cycleway would run westwards towards Moore, northwest of Clooniff Bog, before moving south the route crosses the R357 north of Shannonbridge, allowing cyclists the option to continue onto Clonmacnoise on their travels. From this point, the route runs westward as far as Oldtown Wood.

“It is then proposed to cross the River Suck at Correen and follow the disused canal as far as Poolboy, before making its way into Ballinasloe town along the old canal,” the tender for the planning and design of the Athlone Castle to Galway section of the greenway reveals. The route then moves west towards Aughrim, to Kilreekil and onto Loughrea, Clarinbridge and Oranmore before making it way into Galway city.

A dedicated Project Office will be set up in Ballinasloe as part of the new commission, the documents also confirm, adding that it will be staffed by council staff and staff from the successful design consultant. The office will be a focal point for the public and for the delivery of this cycleway project, it stresses.

The route from Athlone Castle through the urban area, is not listed in the latest tender documents. 

In terms of land acquisition, one of the most contentious aspects of the plan, particularly in East Galway, costs are based on the requirement to compulsory acquire approximately 228 acres between Athlone and Eyre Square in Galway city. GVA Donal O' Buachalla land valuers have estimated the cost of this land acquisition and associated fees at €14,750,000,” according to the tender documents.

On visitor numbers, estimates for the Athlone to Galway section are not specified, however, a “conservative analysis suggests that at least 35,600 overseas visitors” would come annually to use the proposed Dublin to Galway cycle route. If this were to come to pass, the “estimated annual income that is expected to be attracted into Ireland as a result of this scheme is €13.4m, which will be a significant economic boost at both a national and regional level, “ documents setting out the business case for the amenity claim in the tender documents. 

“I am very pleased to see continued progress on the greenway,” said Minister 'Boxer' Moran. “It is very important that we capture our share of this growing tourism market as it will bring significant economic benefit to Athlone and surrounding regions.”

It is estimated it will take 36 months to complete the planning and design phases of the project, he added.

“Athlone is at the centre of this major new initiative and with the ongoing success of the Hidden Heartlands brand, we are perfectly places to benefit,” said Minister Moran. “The aim of this project is to create a world-class, traffic-free greenway that will tap into the growing global cycling tourism market. It will form part of an international touring route from Moscow to Galway, via Athlone, and the EuroVelo network of long-distance cycling routes in Europe," Minister Moran concluded. 

The section from the Whitegates to Athlone Castle includes a new cycleway bridge across the Shannon and an underpass under the Galway to Dublin railway line. The underpass was constructed by Irish Rail over the Easter weekend. 

“Design consultants are currently being procured in a separate procurement process for Phases 5, 6 and 7 services for this section. Construction of this section, including the new cycleway bridge, is expected to be completed by 2022,” tender documents for the section from Athlone Castle to Galway also point out.

With a deadline of August 8, the latest tender covers the procurement of consultants to carry out civil engineering consultancy services, highway consultancy work, bridge and engineering design services.