COMPETITION THIS AUTUMN FOR CONSULTANTS TO DEVELOP ROUTES
A GREENWAY walking and cycling route stretching from Wexford to Rosslare Strand and on to New Ross and Waterford is planned.
Wexford County Council, in conjunction with Kilkenny County Council, are drafting plans for the Greenway routes.
Wexford County Council CEO Tom Enright said the popularity of the Dungarvan to Waterford Greenway, which is due to be officially opened shortly, proves how invaluable the walkways can be.
He said: ‘ We would like to develop greenways in County Wexford. We will be holding a competition this autumn to appoint consultants for a feasability study for a greenway from Rosslare to Waterford looking at the cost and the economic benefits. The line is only out of use for five years so it’s all still in state ownership.’
Mr Enright said the cost of developing a greenway is not prohibitive unless there are issues involving repairing tunnels and bridges, adding that they have been proven to drive tourism numbers into villages dotted along the route.
‘ The greenway in Mayo has done wonders for the local economy and here in County Wexford villages like Bridgetown, Ballycullane and Wellingtonbridge could benefit. They are very attractive and we could have spurs off them down to Hook Head and along the coast.’
Describing the project as medium to long term, Mr Enright said it could be achieved in phases. ‘We are already looking at bringing a greenway from Wexford to Rosslare Strand. Once we have the study completed we will be much more confident in terms of the cost and the time scale.’
Plans are advanced for the New Ross to Waterford Greenway which is expected to cost around €4.7m. Wexford County Council and Kilkenny County Council are due to seek planning permission for the 24 km walking and cycling route in the coming weeks. The ambitious project, which could see a cantilever walking annex added to O’Hanrahan Bridge and the use of the Red Bridge across the Barrow, is a project involving Kilkenny, Wexford and Waterford local authorities.
The Greenway route to Waterford would start on the boardwalk in New Ross and continue along through South Kilkenny as far as Ferrybank in Waterford. The New Ross loop route would include travelling over the Red Bridge and through a tunnel.
New Ross District Director Eamonn Hore said: ‘It starts in Rosbercon where the old railway station is. There will be a parking and a sit down area and the route takes you north to the Red Bridge which will be reinstated for around €350,000. You then go through an 800 metre tunnel which will be fully lit and come out at Mount Elliott. There will be an improved footpath into the town with two viewing points using two wooden suspended platforms.’