The closing date for feedback on the proposed Lough Ree Greenway is next week. The project is envisioned to link Athlone to Ballyleague/Lanesboro and Roscommon Town.
It took a further step forward recently following a second public consultation on March 11th at the Hodson Bay Hotel. The project is being undertaken by Roscommon County Council in partnership with Westmeath County Council and with the backing of Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
TII provided a grant of €600,000 for the Lough Ree Greenway in February of 2023. The 60km project is expected to go into construction between 2027 and 2029 and TII last year forecasted it would cost in the region of €55 million.
It is proposed the new greenway will link into the Galway to Athlone Cycleway. Roscommon County Council believes the link from Athlone to Ballyleague would be an important piece of tourism infrastructure for the county.
Members of the public were recently presented with a number of Route Corridor Options at the latest public consultation. The study area for the greenway covers large areas of south Roscommon including Roscommon town, Knockcroghery, Lecarrow, Kiltoom and Hodson Bay.
Some homeowners in the Lecarrow area have already expressed concerns around the project, believing the greenway will pass too close to their properties. Local landowners say the greenway has the potential to reduce the value of their lands due to fragmentation or division.
Closing date for receipt of feedback forms is Wednesday, April 2nd next, and further information on the Lough Ree Greenway is available at www.loughreegreenway.ie. The project team can be contacted at [email protected].
