Work begin son Bar row Blue way
WORK on the new Barrow Blue way has started and is expected to last between 16 and 18 weeks this year with full completion by spring 2022. Stretching 46 km from Low town to A thy via Roberts town, Rat hang an and Mon as te rev in, once completed the newly installed route is expected to prove a great draw to tourist sand provide a huge economic boost with future growth opportunities for the whole region. The blue way will provide an easily accessible flat, off-road leisure route alongside the beautiful Bar row Navigation, upgrading the current Bar row Way to offer an enhanced experience for both on and off water users including walkers, wheelchair users, cyclists, paddlers and more. Funding of€ Sm for the Bar row Blue way was awarded under the Rural Regeneration Fund to Water ways Ireland and its partners, Kildare and Laois County Councils. The original blue way project was set to see 70 km of tow path developed. However, this was refused by An BordP le anal a( The Planning Board) following concerns that the loose surface materials proposed to cover much of the blue way, between A thy and St Mullions in Car low, would be in a flood zone which could adversely impact the River Bar row Special Area of Con se rv ation . The planning board also expressed concerns that the otter, a protected species, could be negatively impacted by the development with potential loss of halts. The blue way project has proved divisive in Car low with many considering it a' missed opportunity '.
Inothernews:
The Bar row has been subjected to two weir breaches this season at Best field near Carlo w and at A rd reigh near A thy. The latter resulted in a2ft drop in water levels upstream and into A thy, leaving boats moored in the town beached on the river bed. It is reported that effects were also notice able at Mon as te rev in, some 20 km further upstream. Water ways Ireland carried out emergency repair sat both weirs to restore water levels and has been praised by boating associations and wildlife groups for its quick response.