Lough Ree Greenway proposal set to take another step forward

Almost two years after the first public consultation took place on a proposed Lough Ree Cycleway linking Athlone to Ballyleague/Lanesboro and Roscommon town, Roscommon County Council is to host a second public consultation event this week.

However, councillors in Roscommon were recently told that while it was hoped to press ahead with the route selection phase of the project this year, it would be a number of years before tenders could be sought for the construction of the greenway

The second round of public consultation is set to take place in the Hodson Bay Hotel on Tuesday next, March 11, from 3pm to 8pm. Member of the public will be presented with Route Corridor Options and can give feedback on all aspects of the ambitious plan which could see up to 50km of greenway being put in place between Athlone and Ballyleague/Lanesboro.

The project is being undertaken by Roscommon County Council, in partnership with Westmeath County Council, and with the backing of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) who provided grant aid totalling €600,000 towards the Lough Ree Greenway in February 2023.

The plan to link Ballyleague to Athlone by means of a greenway was flagged in the annual budget report of Roscommon County Council as far back as 2019, which stressed the importance of the development of a greenway along the Shannon from Carrick on Shannon to Lough Key and from Ballyleague to Athlone to the Galway Dublin route, as being “very important tourism infrastructure for county Roscommon”.

The council said the greenway will improve access to East Roscommon and the Lough Ree catchments and entice people to explore its towns and villages and its unspoilt scenery.

It is also envisaged that the project will facilitate “sustained economic development”in the wider region through improved connectivity and increased tourism potential.

Members of Roscommon County Councils Greenways Team based in National Roads Regional Office along with Project Consultants (RPS) will be in attendance at next week's public consultation event in Athlone. Mapping will also be displayed and feedback will be encouraged, according to Niall Morrissey, Senior Executive Engineer with Roscommon County Council.

Closing date for receipt of feedback forms is Wednesday, April 2 next, and further information on the Lough Ree Greenway is available at: www.loughreegreenway.ie .

The project team can be contacted at info@loughreegreenway.ie.

Meanwhile, councillors at a recent monthly meeting of Roscommon County Council sought approval from its members for a partnership agreement with Westmeath County Council on the greenway.

Director of Services Greg O'Donnell noted that the process of route selection for the Lough Ree Greenway had just commenced.

During the discussions, Cllr John Keogh said that public lands should be used where available.

“We should incorporate the existing Monksland greenway which can be accessed at Ganly's on the Roscommon Road as part of the proposed Lough Ree route. It will be a missed opportunity if this particular stretch is not used as part of any potential elongated greenway. It is all about enhancing greenway connectivity in our region,” Cllr Keogh said.

Cllr Tony Ward queried when work would commence on the proposed project, noting that a cycleway leading from Athlone to Hodson Bay would benefit the South Roscommon public from a health and wellness perspective.

“As part of any route proposal there may be a need to erect a protective barrier along the Bogganfin Road from Ganlys to Hodson Bay as the area is susceptible to flooding,” Cllr Ward said.

Cllr Fallon stated that the Lough Ree greenway proposal necessitated much “joint up thinking” and should be incorporated with the N61 development project going forward.

Responding, the Director of Services, Greg O'Donnell said his hope was that funding would be secured this year for the route selection phase of the project.

“However, it will be a number of years before the proposed Lough Ree greenway goes to tender as it is a phenomenal undertaking for the county,” Mr O'Donnell concluded.

The study area for the Lough Ree Greenway proposal, linking Athlone to Ballyleague/Lanesboro and Roscommon, covers large areas of South Roscommon, including Hodson Bay, Kiltoom, Lecarrow, Knockcroghery and Roscommon town.