In July 2018 the Municipal District of Carrickmacross & Castleblayney sanctioned funding to explore the development of a Greenway between Carrickmacross and Dundalk via Inniskeen.
A Greenway is an offroad walking and cycling track, and the popularity of Greenways is growing throughout the country, with huge success reported on the Great Western Greenway between Achill and Westport, and on the Waterford Greenway. In Monaghan Town the 4km Ulster Canal Greenway sees over 100,000 trips annually, and in Co. Louth the Carlingford Lough Greenway between Carlingford and Omeath has been a huge success. Both the Ulster Canal Greenway and the Carlingford Lough Greenways have secured INTERREG VA funding to extend over the coming years.
Wherever they are developed, Greenways have been welcomed by local people as attractive places to spend time on, local businesses and entrepreneurs recognise their economic benefits in bringing visitors to an area, and more and more Greenways are being used as safe and sustainable commuter routes for people travelling to and from work and school.
Monaghan County Council has appointed consultants for this feasibility study, and they will be commencing work in December 2018. Wherever possible, the study will consider the use of the Great Northern Railway Corridor as the route for the Greenway, however many sections of the railway route have been built on and developed, and where this is the case alternative route options will be considered by the Consultant.
The Consultants undertaking this Feasibility and Scoping Study – Clandillon Civil Consulting Ltd and Fehily Timoney & Co – will consider geometric, environmental, geotechnical and structural constraints and will be conducting walkover surveys in the area early in February 2019. The consultants will be responsible for their own health and safety and will have their own insurance. They may contact individual landowners during the course of their works but they will carry identification and have a letter issued by Monaghan County Council confirming their identity.
This feasibility and scoping study is one of the early stages of the development of a route. If the report shows it may be feasible to deliver a Greenway between Carrickmacross and Dundalk, further detailed studies and design would be required, including public consultation and planning approval.
Any queries about this project, whether in County Louth or in County Monaghan, can be made to the Municipal District of Carrickmacross &Castleblayney on 042 966 1240.
