Greenway plan will be submitted in six weeks
A planning application for the Rosslare Greenway is to be submitted to An Bord Pleanála within the next six weeks.
Having visited the proposed route with fellow members of the Rosslare Municipal District Council, Cathaoirleach Ger Carthy confirmed the revised plan for the route had been given the go-ahead and would soon be submitted to the planning authority.
Accompanied by the Engineers Brian Galvin and Fintan Ryan, plus Councillors Jim Codd, Lisa McDonald and Frank Staples, the Cathaoirleach saw first-hand how the redesigned route would work.
‘We had a look at the viewing points and the engineers showed us where the track will gradually rise, how they will bring up the ground and then let it gradually taper off.
‘There’ll be five viewing points along the land side, which will maximise the views. The plan has been given the go-ahead and it’ll go to An Bord Pleanána in six weeks.’
The viewing points have been incorporated into the route following Cllr Carthy’s concerns that the initial design did not show the 2km stretch of the Rosslare section of the greenway in its best light.
The viewing points will be located as follows: Rosehill local road (L-71012-1), 500m south of Rosehill, 1000m south of Rosehill (just south of Maytown), approximately 1300km south of Rosehill, and 1750m south of Rosehill.
A report from Wexford County Council explained how the Greenway has been designed to ensure it incorporates five key factors, that it be scenic, sustainable, be substantially segregated, offer lots to see and do, and be strategically designed.
‘This Greenway will be a strategic Greenway of regional significance,’ the report reads, ‘linking a number of Greenways in the South East to Rosslare Harbour. The development of this Greenway is of vital importance for growth of international tourists to the South East.’
‘To address the concern raised in the Rosslare Municipal District meeting on December 16 in relation to the scenic attractiveness of this section of the greenway, Wexford County Council proposes the following raised/ additional viewing locations.’
Warning that the plan may be with An Bord Pleanána for some time before work can began, Cllr Carthy said, upon completion, the Greenway would be of huge benefit to the area.
‘It will be an important piece of infrastructure which will stimulate the local economy. It’s a key investment for supporting rural Ireland and will help get Baldwinstown and Bridgetown back on their feet. But it will take time.’
Councillor Jim Codd was also full of positivity having walked the route, but he tempered his enthusiasm somewhat,
‘IT’S a great thing for Wexford and I believe it will be a great support to the villages it will pass through. However, I’m always cautious about large sums of money being spent on expertise,’ said the Aontú councillor.
‘I think the people need to know more about the level of expert planning. I’m always concerned about the cost to the taxpayer while houses lie idle. And I would be insistent we get the best for value for money from those experts. But yes, I was imrpessed with what I saw.’