Funding for “major expansion” of Ireland’s greenway network” detailed by Minister Ryan

— Greenway funding part of Government’s €360 million per year for walking and cycling.
— Full list of greenways to be funded.

Funding of around €60 million is being allocated to 40 greenway projects in 2022 “in nearly every single county”, according to the Department of Transport.

The Department said that the €60 million in funding for greenways is part of the “commitment to invest €360 million per year in active travel over the lifetime of the Government.” Further funding covering active travel for both urban and rural areas is to be announced by the Department and the National Transport Authority in the new year.

The funding comes alongside the publication of the Code of Best Practice for National and Regional Greenways, which aims to help with issues between councils and landowners. The central issue is offering a structured alternative to Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs), which farming groups have objected to being used for greenways.

The working group on the Code of Practice included Government Departments, State agencies and farmer’s organisations.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), the state body which looks after national roads, light rail, and greenways outside of cities, said: “The Code of Best Practice provides comprehensive information for landowner/property owners, project promoters and other stakeholders.”

“Securing the cooperation of Landowner/Property owners and acquiring lands by voluntary agreements was inherent throughout the development of the code,” said TII.

Tim Cullinan, president of the IFA, a farming organisation, also welcomed the Code of Practice. He said: “A key part of the Code is a new Sustainability Payment — once-off goodwill payment for early-sign on and co-operation — to each farmer, on top of the full value of any land acquired for a greenway as part of a voluntary land acquisition agreement process.”

Cullinan added: “The farmer’s statutory rights are fully protected if they participate in this voluntary process. They still have full access to mediation and arbitration if there is no agreement on the valuation of the land and compensation for other impacts on their farms.”

In a press release on the funding, Minister Ryan said: “This funding will also support extensions of the Grand Canal Greenway in Offaly, Kildare and South Dublin, link the North Kerry Greenway to the Limerick Greenway, and join the Waterford to New Ross Greenway with the Waterford Greenway. We are moving into a new and exciting phase when more and more Greenways are being connected, with TII also developing a National Cycle Network.”

“I’m particularly happy that agreement has been reached on a Code of Best Practice for National and Regional Greenways. This Code has been agreed with the farming representative bodies and other stakeholders and provides us with an approved way to achieve voluntary land sales for Greenways where needed. Community buy-in is central to the future of our Greenways, which are one of the big success stories of rural Ireland. Greenways are a wonderful amenity for leisure and tourism, and they are also important for everyday journeys to school, work or the shops,” said Minister Ryan.

Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton said “The Galway to Dublin Greenway, a 330km car-free corridor between Galway and Dublin, linking the Atlantic coast to the East coast, has a particularly exciting focus in the funding being announced today. Counties including Meath, Kildare, Westmeath, Offaly will benefit from investment towards this project. Once complete, the Dublin-Galway project will provide both a local and national amenity for communities and visitors to enjoy while also supporting local business such as cafés, shops, B&Bs, camping sites and hotels.”

She added: “As a Minister based in the West of Ireland, I am also very pleased to see the Connemara Greenway receive a strong funding allocation of over €3 million in 2022. This funding includes the routes between Clifden to Recess (€1.9 million), Galway to Moycullen (€600k) and Derrygimlagh-Clifden-Kylemore Abbey (€550k). I very much look forward to cycling this route, some of which is due to be completed in the second half of next year.”

Projects funded within the €60 (sorted by project stage)

Improvement Works / Ancillary Works

County Name of Greenway Section of the GreenwayNo of Kms  (Indicative for early  Phases of projects)Allocation for  2022 Estimated Completion Date
Waterford Waterford Greenway Improvement Works 46 €400,000 Q1 2022
Meath Royal Canal – Dublin to Galway Section of the Royal Canal in Meath 21.3 €14,000 Q1 2022
Limerick Great Southern Greenway  (Refurbishment) Rathkeale and Abbeyfeale 40 €3,000,000 Q1 2023
Longford Mid Shannon Wilderness Greenway  (Refurbishment) Section 4 – Corlea Bog (Corlea to Edera) 11 €600,000 Q1 2022
Kildare Royal Canal – Dublin to GalwayDublin to Galway – Section 2 Maynooth to  Westmeath Border -Subsection 5 – Cloncurry to Spin Bridge (includes Ferns  lock) and Subsection 7 Chambers Bridge  to Maynooth Harbour 2.6 €95,000 Q2 2022
Offaly Grand Canal Greenway Kilbeggan Link Ancilliary Works N/A €250,000 TBD
Offaly Grand Canal Greenway Leabeg to Boora N/A €753,000 TBD

Projects under Construction

Galway Connemara Greenway Clifden to Recess 9.42 €1,900,000 Q3 2022
Cork MY Greenway Midleton to Youghal 23 €4,500,000Q1 2023  It is anticipated that there  may be potential to open  sections of the Greenway on  a phased basis to facilitate  public access in advance of  completion of the overall  scheme. 
Wexford South Eastern Greenway Waterford to New Ross 24.32 €4,000,000 Q4 2023 
Kerry North Kerry Greenway Tralee to Fenit 10.66 €2,500,000 Q1 2022
Kerry North Kerry Greenway Listowel to Limerick Border 10.5 €2,500,000 Q1 2022
Mayo Clew Bay Greenway Achill Sound and extension to Bunnacurry 13.5 €1,900,000 Q1 2023
Offaly/Waterways Grand Canal GreenwayDaingean (Molesworth Bridge) to  Tullamore (Digby Bridge) and Henesy’s  Bridge to Turraun20 €200,000Q4 2021: bulk of work. Q1/Q2 2022: enhancements  in Ballycommon and delivery  of Pollgh to Henesys north  bank will likely be pushed out  due to complexity/Part 8.
TII Dublin to Galway Whitelands to Athlone Castle, Athlone  Castle to Galway N/A €7,000,000Q3 2021: construction  Whitegates to Athlone  Marina.  Q2 2023, Construction  Cycleway Bridge.
TII Dublin to GalwayWhitelands to Athlone Castle, Athlone Castle to Galway (Retention Monies)N/A€100,000As above.
Meath Boyne Greenway & Navigation  SchemeBoyne Valley to Lakelands (Additional  construction sections) TBD €500,000 TBD

Projects with Planning Permission – Next PSC Stage Gate 3

Kildare/Waterways Grand Canal Greenway Aylmer Bridge to Sallins 11 €1,500,000 Q3 – 2022
South Dublin Co.Co. Grand Canal 12th Lock to Hazelhatch Bridge 4.57 €1,300,000 Q3/4 2022

Projects in Planning Application – Next PSC Stage Gate 2

Kerry South Kerry Greenway Stages 2 &3 – Glenbeigh to Cahersiveen 27.7 €1,500,000 TBD

Projects at Concept, Feasibility and Route Selection – Next PSC Stage Gate 1

Wicklow – Greystones to Wicklow 20 €350,000
Donegal Carrigans to Castlefinn Greenway link between Castlefin and the Foyle  Valley Greenway 28.5 €800,000 TBD
Offaly Shannon Monastic Greenway Shannonbridge, Co. Offaly – Athlone, Co.  Westmeath 28 €15,000 TBD
TII Dublin to Galway Galway to Athlone TBD €1,500,000 TBD
Wicklow Blessington E-GreenwayBlessington Lake Loop28.7€5,000,000 Q4 2023.
Sligo Sligo Greenway Bellaghy, Co. Sligo (Charlestown, Co.  Mayo) – Collooney, Co. Sligo 35.5 €50,000 TBD
Kildare Grand Canal Greenway Sallins Bridge -Clonkeen (Border with  County Offaly 27.5 €95,000 TBD
Kerry South Kerry Greenway Stage 1 – Cahersiveen to Reenard Pt 4.2 €200,000 TBD 
Longford Mid Shannon Wilderness Greenway Kilnacarrow Bridge – Darogue/Ballymacormack 65.9 €150,000 TBD
Limerick and Clare  (Waterways Irl) Limerick to ScarriffBlack Bridge, River Shannon, Limerick. (  E:560,775, N:658,634. ) – Scarriff Town  Square, County Clare. 41 €70,000 TBD
Limerick Limerick to Scarriff Limerick (UL) to Montpelier 26 €200,000 TBD
Louth Dundalk Bay Greenway Dundalk – Templetown TBD €250,000 TBD
Limerick UL Loop UL to Montpelier via Castleconnell TBD €200,000 TBD
Louth Carlingford Lough Greenway Tourist Office, Carlingford  – Templetown Beach 12.3 €120,000TBD
Cavan Cavan Railway GreenwayCavan Town -Ulster Canal Greenway north  of Castle Saunderson AND with a link to  the Cavan – Leitrim Greenway at Belturbet38.8 €150,000 TBD
Roscommon Lough Ree Greenway (JT)Ballyleague/Lanesborough to  Tarmonbarry/Strokestown/Roosky (Just  Transition)68 €145,000 TBD
Monaghan Ulster Canal Greenway Smithboro – Clones 14 €150,000 TBD
Leitrim Sligo Leitrim Northern Counties  Railway (SLNCR) Greenway Sligo Town – Blacklion, Co. Cavan 57 €1,000,000 TBD
Clare West Clare Railway Greenway Ennis – Kilkee 20 €500,000 TBD
Offaly Grand Canal to Old Rail Trail Cycleway  LinkGrand Canal Greenway at Ballycommon  (Tullamore) to the Old Rail Trail Greenway  and the Dublin-Galway Eurovelo Route 2  via Kilbeggan, the River Brosna, Lilliput  (Lough Ennell) and Mullingar.26 €25,000 TBD
Fingal Fingal Coastal Way Newbridge Demesne, Donabate- Fingal  county boundary, north of Balbriggan 32 €350,000 TBD
Meath Boyne Greenway & Navigation  Scheme Oldbridge Estate Entrance – Navan 26.5 €100,000 TBD
Tipperary Clonmel to Carrick on Suir Greenway  (Suir Blueway)Gas house bridge, Clonmel -Suir Island,  Clonmel €250,000 TBD
Galway Connemara Greenway Galway to Moycullen12 €600,000TBD
Mayo Clew Bay Greenway Belclare to Murrisk TBD €500,000 TBD
Offaly Lough Derg Greenway Killina to Killina School Link TBD €80,000 TBD
Galway Co.Co Connemara Greenway Derrrygimlagh -(8km) Clifden -Kylemore  Abbey(17km) 25 €550,000 TBD
Roscommon Lough Ree GreenwayTarmonbarry to Athlone – revised to Athlone to Ballyleague/Lanesborough  (May 2021)68 €1,300,000 TBD

Projects at Scope, Pre-Appraisal, Feasibility, etc – Next PSC Stage Gate 0

Donegal – Barnesmore Gap Greenway 28 €50,000 TBD
Carlow Barrow Valley Greenway Bagenalstown -Palace East 38.8 €60,000 TBD
Roscommon Lough Key to Carrick on Shannon TBD, connection to Boyle to be examined. TBD €250,000 TBD 
Clare West Clare Railway Greenway Ennis to Ennistymon TBD €200,000 TBD
Clare West Clare Railway Greenway Ennistymon to Milltown Malbay TBD €50,000 TBD
Clare West Clare Railway Greenway Milltown Malbay to Moyasta TBD €50,000 TBD
Clare Shannon GreenwayShannon to Bunratty & Onto LimerickTBD €100,000TBD
Cork – County West Cork Greenway Cork to Schull TBD €100,000 TBD
Cork – County South Cork Greenway Cork to Kinsale TBD €100,000 TBD
Cork – County – Charleville to Cork TBD €100,000 TBD
Cork – County Lee to Sea Greenway Macroom-Dripsey-Farran TBD €100,000 TBD
Limerick Limerick Greenway Ballingarrane to Patrickswell TBD €50,000 TBD
Limerick Limerick Greenway Patrickswell to Colbert Station TBD €50,000 TBD
Limerick – Patrickswell to Charleville TBD €100,000 TBD
Waterford City and Co.  Co. Suir Blueway Waterford Greenway Link (Carrick on Suir  to Kilmeaden) TBD €100,000 TBD
Tipperary Suir Blueway Marlfield to Cahir (Marlfield Village to  Swiss Cottages)TBD €100,000 TBD
Tipperary Lough Derg Greenway Ballina to Dromineer TBD €100,000 TBD
Tipperary Cashel to Cahir Greenway Cashel to Cahir Town TBD €90,000 TBD
Limerick Limerick Greenway Rathkeale to Ballingarrane TBD €50,000 TBD
Cork – County Mallow to Dungarvan Greenway Mallow – Cork/Waterford Border (near  Ballyduff) 39.15 €250,000 TBD
Donegal Inishowen Greenway Muff -QuigleysPoint 8 €300,000 TBD
Donegal Inishowen Greenway Buncrana -Carndonagh 32 €600,000 TBD
Donegal Inishowen Greenway Bridgened to Buncrana and  Newtowncunningham TBD €500,000 TBD
Donegal – Burtonport to Letterkenny TBD €250,000 TBD
Galway Co.Co Athenry to Milltown Greenway Athenry – Milltown 45 €70,000 TBD
Kerry – Tralee to Listowel TBD €600,000 TBD
Kerry North Kerry Greenway to South Kerry  Greenway Connection TBD €100,000 TBD
Kerry – County Greenway Connectivity Study TBD €100,000 TBD
Limerick City & Co.Co. Limerick Greenway Rathkeale- Adare- Patrick’s Well 22 €250,000 TBD
Mayo Ballina Castlebar Westport Interurban  GreenwayViaduct Westport (Great Western  Greenway)- Moy Cycle bridge, Ballina 60 €250,000 TBD

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