Progress on final section of Dublin to Galway greenway

The completion of the greenway between Dublin and Galway moving a significant step forward now that tenders are being sought for the planning and design of the controversial section west of Athlone, through 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 to finalise the 130km path to Galway had been paused at the route selection stage in 2015, following opposition by landowners, particularly in east Galway, due to what they felt was a lack of consultation and the use of CPOs to acquire land.

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 tourism amenity project.

The preferred route is proposed to run from Athlone to Ballinasloe via Shannonbridge, following the rail line to Daneshill before turning south 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 southeast towards Cregganbeaka, close to the River Shannon with views of Clonmacnoise,” the tender documents state.

From there the greenway would run west towards Moore, northwest of Clooniff Bog, before moving south the route crosses the R357 north of Shannonbridge, allowing cyclists and walkers the option to continue to Clonmacnoise. From that point, the route runs west 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 states. The route then moves west towards Aughrim, to Kilreekil and on to Loughrea, Clarinbridge and Oranmore before going 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 the people there will be council staff and staff from the successful design consultant. The office will be a focal point for the public and for the delivery of the greenway 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. GVA Donal O Buachalla Ltd 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 greenway.

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”, according to documents setting out the business case for the amenity claim in the tender documents.

“I am pleased to see continued progress on the greenway,” said Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran. “It is 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 placed 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 greenway 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 greenway 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.