Plans for new Athlone to Ballyleague greenway take step forward

The day when cyclists can safely journey on a dedicated greenway from Athlone to Ballyleague in Roscommon has come closer to reality, following the allocation by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) of a grant to Roscommon County Council.

At the March meeting of Westmeath County Council, director of services Jean Ryan set out details of the Lough Ree Greenway plan for councillors, explaining that there is also a potential linkage from the greenway to Roscommon town.

Ms Ryan explained that the Westmeath portion will be from Ranelagh townland to the railway line in Athlone. It is to link with the future Active Travel scheme in Athlone and with the Dublin to Galway Greenway.

A second public consultation phase of the project took place recently with members of the public presented with Route Corridor Options and given the opportunity to provide 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.

Cllr Frankie Keena said it was important that further links should be developed from the Old Rail Trail that goes through Athlone.

The Fianna Fáil man also urged the council to look at the proposal he has made in the past, which would see a greenway linking Athlone to Glasson, and then on to Ballymahon, where it could connect with the Royal Canal greenway, to create a large looped greenway. He said he understood Longford’s county councillors were also keen to see this happen,

Supporting the Roscommon plan, Cllrs Paul Hogan and John Dolan were both keen that when design work on the Athlone elements of the route are complete, the project should come before the members of Westmeath County Council for consideration

Responding, Ms Ryan said that Westmeath County Council has been in talks with Longford about a greenway from Athlone to Glasson, "We will keep that under review and update you," she said.

On the plans for the Roscommon project, she said Westmeath would be involved and consulted along the way fully.