New cycle track Mullingar to Athlone

Pinch Flat · 21-10-2014 5:30pm

end of the road wrote: »

we'l have to wait and see. i maintain there is nothing of interest along the line unlike mayo and kerry where there are miles and miles of beautiful sceenery. once its handed over there is no getting it back either.

Beautiful scenery ithe Midlands as well!

budgemook · 21-10-2014 5:43pm

I cycled along the Royal Canal through the Midlands over the Summer. It was full of beautiful scenery. Some people think that unless there are big hills there is nothing to look at.

nice_guy80 · 21-10-2014 5:52pm

budgemook wrote: »

I cycled along the Royal Canal through the Midlands over the Summer. It was full of beautiful scenery. Some people think that unless there are big hills there is nothing to look at.

exactly
nice villages too
Killucan, Castletowngeoghegan,

Judgement Day · 21-10-2014 5:58pm

Build it and they will come. :rolleyes:

Mearings · 21-10-2014 6:17pm

Interesting to note that some (or all?) of the underbridges have been narrowed to accomodate the single track.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/be216cd1/8865269095/in/set-72157633759839850

Judgement Day · 21-10-2014 6:20pm

Mearings wrote: »

Interesting to note that some (or all?) of the underbridges have been narrowed to accomodate the single track.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/be216cd1/8865269095/in/set-72157633759839850

That was done in old God's time - nothing to do with the trackway.

Will they cut all the hedges down to give a decent view of the countryside?

hardCopy · 21-10-2014 6:21pm

end of the road wrote: »

we'l have to wait and see. i maintain there is nothing of interest along the line unlike mayo and kerry where there are miles and miles of beautiful sceenery. once its handed over there is no getting it back either.

While Mayo does have lots of beautiful scenery, it's not always visible from the Greenway. Much of it looks very like the photos Salmon posted earlier.

Greenway-Westport-to-Newport-c.-John-M-CCL1.jpg

Greenway-Westport-to-Newport-c.-John-M-CCL1.jpg

I've cycled on the Great Western Greenway several times and also on the Velodyssee in France, the big draw on Greenways is not just the scenery but the escape from cities and traffic.

If you object to the new greenway being laid instead of rail that's fair enough but it's success or failure won't hinge on the quality of scenery, far more important is regular access to coffee shops and pubs adjacent to the route and provision of bike hire. Looking at the Great Western Greenway I think it's safe to assume that local entrepreneurs will be quick to provide these amenities.

Mearings · 21-10-2014 7:22pm

<<<Quote:
Originally Posted by Mearings View Post
Interesting to note that some (or all?) of the underbridges have been narrowed to accomodate the single track.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/be216c...57633759839850>>>

<<<That was done in old God's time - nothing to do with the trackway.>>>

So do they replace the bridge or take up the track?

cml387 · 21-10-2014 7:26pm

On the basis that nothing can be done without somebody complaining, The Topic gave space to people complaining about the effect the cyclepath will have on their property.

These are houses which were ex lineside cottages for level crossings etc. People assumed that the railway would never open again and forgot about rights of way.

Now cyclists will be sweeping past their front doors and they don't like it.

Judgement Day · 21-10-2014 7:28pm

Mearings wrote: »

<<<Quote:
Originally Posted by Mearings View Post
Interesting to note that some (or all?) of the underbridges have been narrowed to accomodate the single track.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/be216c...57633759839850>>>

<<<That was done in old God's time - nothing to do with the trackway.>>>

So do they replace the bridge or take up the track?

That is an interesting and possibly expensive question. Given IE's attitude to reopening the line, it would seem removing the track on the bridges would be the sane option.

end of the road · 21-10-2014 8:17pm

Judgement Day wrote: »

That was done in old God's time - nothing to do with the trackway.

Will they cut all the hedges down to give a decent view of the countryside?

yeah, once they have had the tay

John_Rambo · 21-10-2014 9:31pm

Where exactly will this start in Athlone town? I'd be keen to cycle it. Thanks.

21-10-2014 10:17pm

Judgement Day wrote: »

That is an interesting and possibly expensive question. Given IE's attitude to reopening the line, it would seem removing the track on the bridges would be the sane option.

I would imagine that all they'll do is lay sufficient gravel over the tracks to allow cyclists to safely use the bridge and then cross over to the side again.

Mearings · 21-10-2014 10:52pm

[QUOTE=These are houses which were ex lineside cottages for level crossings etc. People assumed that the railway would never open again and forgot about rights of way.[/QUOTE]

The houses belonging to CIE on this line were vacated, c1960. They were not demolished but the roofs were removed thereby exempting the company from Co. Council rates. UIvmm.

Zubeneschamali · 22-10-2014 10:12am

John_Rambo wrote: »

Where exactly will this start in Athlone town? I'd be keen to cycle it. Thanks.

The first bit that got planning was from Mullingar as far as Garrycastle, so it'll arrive here someplace:

https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.4225702,-7.901132,332m/data=!3m1!1e3

The it'll get from there to the Shannon, and cross over a new bridge in town beside the town bridge:

pointer28 · 22-10-2014 10:21am

http://www.westmeathcoco.ie/en/media/Variation%2013%20National%20Cycle%20Network.pdf

"Additional bridge decks will be constructed on the existing bridge abutments at five bridge structures."

Mearings · 22-10-2014 10:53am

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

The first bit that got planning was from Mullingar as far as Garrycastle, so it'll arrive here someplace

Access is mentioned in the County Development Plan & listed below:

At the following level crossings on public roads; - Ladestown Road, L5140
Castletown, R389
Lisnagree, near Streamstown, L5325
Railway Station Moate, L1313
Ballynagarbry Moate, L1437
Magheramore (Mount Temple), L5436
Athlone, N55

(The N55 is the Ballymahon Road, nearer to town centre than Garrycastle).

Zubeneschamali · 22-10-2014 10:57am

Mearings wrote: »

Access is mentioned in the County Development Plan & listed below:
...
Athlone, N55

This makes sense, as the line is at road level here, not on or under a bridge, see streetview.

John_Rambo · 22-10-2014 12:36pm

That's brilliant. Thanks, looking forward to that now... More to do in the midlands.

New cycle track Mullingar to Athlone

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