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Greenways and Disused Rail Alignments

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    #62
    trail man
    Registered Users Posts: 203 ✭✭trail man


    mrsdewinter wrote: »
    We need more cyclepaths like the Newport-Mulranny affair. Friends of mine are just back from a cycling holiday in Europe, and they are already grumbling about how Ireland is being left behind on this front. With long-distance holidays becoming a thing of the past (thanks, Icelandic volcanoes & recession), more and more people are going to be either staycationing or - hopefully, in the case of the Brits - opting to restrict their holidays to countries within ferry distance.

    yes we are way behind in the cycle path game in comparassion to the rest of europe..
    see www.southerntrail.net for a nice surprise...
    if you decide to come to west limerick you can click on the pair of walking boots for a tour of the trail at a nominal cost.. thats me..:D..


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    #63
    steamengine
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,372 ✭✭✭steamengine


    Judgement Day wrote: »
    Jaysus - what a video - would make me want to run the other way. Nice to see the trackbed clear though, all that's needed now is some 2ft gauge track and a South African Beyer-Garratt loco hauling 20+ tourist saloons with a dining car dispensing lashings of ginger beer.

    In Wales they do railways in Ireland bicycles - which do you think are more likely to bring in visitors? :D


    Oh Mr Porter you're wasting your time !!! :D This is the land of pints and diddley di music - No standard gauge heritage railway, No world class theme park with a Big Dipper even !!!


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    #64
    Neworder79
    Registered Users Posts: 607 ✭✭✭Neworder79


    They've done a fantastic job on the Westport Greenway, provides areal alternative for kids going to school and workers as well as tourists. Looks very well finished with the new tar surface and cycle/walking lane markings at the entrance to each estate or path along the way and links to the centre of town. A new bike hire company have set up at the Altmont St end also. There is paved path all the way from Altmont st to the Quay and on to Murrisk now and when the Newport section is joined up it will be a fantastic resource for tourists.

    http://www.westportsmartertravel.ie/downloads/Great_Western_Greenway.pdf
    http://www.westportsmartertravel.ie/downloads/Westport_Sl%ED_Brochure.pdf
    http://www.westportsmartertravel.ie/downloads/Westport_National_Coastal_Trail.pdf
    http://www.westportsmartertravel.ie/downloads/Achill_Cycle_Hub.pdf

    Mulranny video:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNMVG...&feature=email

    http://www.clewbayoutdoors.ie/
    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Westport-Ireland/Clew-Bay-Bike-Hire-Outdoor-Adventures/114512008561932


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    #65
    Victor
    Registered Users Posts: 78,241 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    Judgement Day wrote: »
    In Wales they do railways in Ireland bicycles - which do you think are more likely to bring in visitors? :D
    Facetiously, the bicycle, because Stena and Ryanair won't allow you bring your own loco.

    Realistically, cycle paths are relatively cheap for the amount you get and the number of people, local or visitors that you can facilitate. There is scope for a transport museum or two, but they are expensive and can only be in a limited number of places.


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    #66
    Judgement Day
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,549 ✭✭✭✭Judgement Day


    Victor wrote: »
    Facetiously, the bicycle, because Stena and Ryanair won't allow you bring your own loco.

    Realistically, cycle paths are relatively cheap for the amount you get and the number of people, local or visitors that you can facilitate. There is scope for a transport museum or two, but they are expensive and can only be in a limited number of places.

    Point taken and I am being a bit tongue in cheek on this issue but, that said, we have an awful habit here of not putting in serious investment/expertise and ending up with a plethora of worthless visitor attractions such as the Corlea Trackway, The Lismore Experience, The Clonakilty Model Railway Village, and the Tralee/Blennerville Railway to name but a few.

    The picture here of the Corlea Trackway - centrepiece - has to be seen to be believed. I wouldn't recommend the place to my worst enemy. :D

    splosh_image.jpg


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    #67
    Judgement Day
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,549 ✭✭✭✭Judgement Day


    I was going to post more here but rather than wander further off topic I will start a new thread in the History & Heritage forum instead:
    Ireland's Worst Heritage/Interpretative Centres. :D


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    #68
    westtip
    Registered Users Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    mrsdewinter wrote: »
    We need more cyclepaths like the Newport-Mulranny affair. .

    Was that way at the weekend it is a fantastic facility and even in the short time it has been open local traders are anecdotally noticing its effect on visitor numbers and local day trippers.


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    #69
    dowlingm
    Registered Users Posts: 5,309 ✭✭✭dowlingm


    http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/walking-trails-plan-for-former-railways-198299.html
    A working group is to be set up to examine the feasibility of turning miles of former railways in West Cork into walking trails.
    The group is likely to be led by Cork County Council’s assistant county manager James Fogarty, who has described himself as "one of the original railway children".


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    #70
    Sponge Bob
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 25,234 ✭✭✭✭Sponge Bob


    Looks like the Athlone-Moate railway will be Greenwayed soon. Funding was recently given for Athlone - Ballinasloe and Moate - Tullamore cycle routes along old N road hard shoulders. These have been designated as R roads now. The missing link would be Athlone- Moate.

    http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/news/community/articles/2012/06/13/4010872-870000-funding-boost-for-two-local-cycle-routes/


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    #71
    westtip
    Registered Users Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    not quite a dissused rail alignment but it seems carlow CC are looking to get a greenway all the way from Dublin to Carlow - would be a great facility.

    http://www.carlow-nationalist.ie/tabId/369/itemId/15091/Council-keen-to-saddle-up.aspx


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    #72
    foggy_lad
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,373 ✭✭✭✭foggy_lad


    westtip wrote: »
    not quite a dissused rail alignment but it seems carlow CC are looking to get a greenway all the way from Dublin to Carlow - would be a great facility.

    http://www.carlow-nationalist.ie/tabId/369/itemId/15091/Council-keen-to-saddle-up.aspx
    Much of the Barrow already has tow-paths because it was used in tha past for transporting goods in barges. These can very easily be tidie up and repaired where necessary and will provide an excellent amenity. We dont need to be spending millions and millions on fancy coloured tarmacadam pathways along the River just use the paths that are already there.


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    #73
    dogmatix
    Registered Users Posts: 1,404 ✭✭✭dogmatix


    foggy_lad wrote: »
    Much of the Barrow already has tow-paths because it was used in tha past for transporting goods in barges. These can very easily be tidie up and repaired where necessary and will provide an excellent amenity. We dont need to be spending millions and millions on fancy coloured tarmacadam pathways along the River just use the paths that are already there.

    Very true, its called the Barrow way and you can walk all the way from Dublin to St Mullins. No need for any improvements really, at least on the sections i've walked and i've already walked sections as far as Robertstown along the canal and along the barrow from Athy to Carlow and Graignamanagh to St Mullins.

    Whatever money is needed should be used in promoting these paths for tourists.


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    #74
    corktina
    Closed Accounts Posts: 17,733 ✭✭✭✭corktina


    Judgement Day wrote: »
    I was going to post more here but rather than wander further off topic I will start a new thread in the History & Heritage forum instead:
    Ireland's Worst Heritage/Interpretative Centres. :D

    Link?


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    #75
    Partizan
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 629 ✭✭✭Partizan


    Greenways can and should be used on the following former rail alignments:

    1) Athlone - Mullingar
    2) Kilmeaden - Dungarvan
    3) Waterford - New Ross
    4) Waterford - Tramore
    5) Limerick - Tralee
    6) Tralee - Fenit
    7) Navan - Kingscourt

    Cycle them all and use some of the former stations as cafes/hostels. It would be a massive boon to tourism and any cost associated with upgrading them would be recouped.


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    #76
    L1011
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 67,615 Mod ✭✭✭✭L1011


    Based on the number of German tourists who try cycling on the brutal, narrow roads in the county as it stands, doing some of the CDJR and L&LSR networks in Donegal would probably bring huge benefits to the county... and as some of it is Gaeltacht there's probably grants to tap too.


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    #77
    Our man in Havana
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29,476 ✭✭✭✭Our man in Havana


    Partizan wrote: »
    Greenways can and should be used on the following former rail alignments:

    1) Athlone - Mullingar
    2) Kilmeaden - Dungarvan
    3) Waterford - New Ross
    4) Waterford - Tramore
    5) Limerick - Tralee
    6) Tralee - Fenit
    7) Navan - Kingscourt

    Cycle them all and use some of the former stations as cafes/hostels. It would be a massive boon to tourism and any cost associated with upgrading them would be recouped.

    Some of those are still legally operational railways. Surely IE would have to go through a closure procedure before any greenway can happen?


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    #78
    gobnaitolunacy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,073 ✭✭✭gobnaitolunacy


    dowlingm wrote: »
    http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/walking-trails-plan-for-former-railways-198299.html

    While I would wish this group all the best, I would seriously doubt the feasibility of a long-distance walking trail, more likely ending up a series of disjointed portions, landowners would pose a significant problem. The Great Southern Trail guys had a bit of a struggle with squatters and that with a line that was lifted in recent times AND still technically owned by CIE/IE, let alone something that was lifted in the early 60's now with buildings built in the way and alignments bulldozed.

    May have more sucess in developing trails in Co Donegal on *ahem* more 'marginal' land than that in West Cork.


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    #79
    end of the road
    Registered Users Posts: 28,984 ✭✭✭✭end of the road


    Our man in Havana wrote: »
    Some of those are still legally operational railways.
    yeah, with their ghostly locomotives carriges station masters shunters and other staff, begarra begosh

    ticking a box on a form does not make you of a religion.



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    #80
    trail man
    Registered Users Posts: 203 ✭✭trail man


    actually in other european countrys the old stations of disused lines are now doing a booming trade..tea/coffee/food...beer...remember you are off the road on a greenway...in the summertime these places are a goldmine to the local economy...begorah and top of the mornin to you all...ESPECIALLY END OF THE LINE..


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    #81
    Judgement Day
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,549 ✭✭✭✭Judgement Day


    corktina wrote: »
    Link?

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=65861251 :D


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    #82
    westtip
    Registered Users Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    a tiny example of what is possible when we have greenways in place

    http://www.tripadvisor.ie/ShowUserReviews-g499571-d1929034-r129045027-The_Okeover_Arms-Ashbourne_Derbyshire_England.html

    http://www.derbyshireuk.net/tissington_trail.html

    Tissington was one of the original railway greenways - goes through a lovely part of Derbyshire. it attracts thousands of users every year and is an integral part of the tourism offering in the peak district.

    If only we coudl learn and just get on with things.


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    #83
    westtip
    Registered Users Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    MYOB wrote: »
    Based on the number of German tourists who try cycling on the brutal, narrow roads in the county as it stands, doing some of the CDJR and L&LSR networks in Donegal would probably bring huge benefits to the county... and as some of it is Gaeltacht there's probably grants to tap too.

    the failte Ireland study into cycling tourism in 2006 highlighted the dissatisfaction amongst most cycling tourists with an expression that they would not come back. the Germans may come but they won't come back - and more to the point they won't recommend the experience to anyone. I wouldn't recommend a cycling holiday (touring cycling maybe 40 miles or so a day) to anyone, and I live here. Too much personal risk involved on our roads with family vehicles that resemble troop carriers and 8 axel trucks to contend with.


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    #84
    gobnaitolunacy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,073 ✭✭✭gobnaitolunacy


    westtip wrote: »
    a tiny example of what is possible when we have greenways in place

    http://www.tripadvisor.ie/ShowUserReviews-g499571-d1929034-r129045027-The_Okeover_Arms-Ashbourne_Derbyshire_England.html

    http://www.derbyshireuk.net/tissington_trail.html

    Tissington was one of the original railway greenways - goes through a lovely part of Derbyshire. it attracts thousands of users every year and is an integral part of the tourism offering in the peak district.

    If only we coudl learn and just get on with things.

    Closed in '67 as a railway, opened in '71 as a greenway. They didn't waste any time. And waaay before any mass 'green' movement.


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    #85
    end of the road
    Registered Users Posts: 28,984 ✭✭✭✭end of the road


    gobnaitolunacy wrote: »
    Closed in '67 as a railway, opened in '71 as a greenway. They didn't waste any time. And waaay before any mass 'green' movement.

    where as CIE did everything to make sure such a movement couldn't take over any of their disused lines, now seems to be changing though.

    ticking a box on a form does not make you of a religion.



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    #86
    trail man
    Registered Users Posts: 203 ✭✭trail man


    end of the road wrote: »
    where as CIE did everything to make sure such a movement couldn't take over any of their disused lines, now seems to be changing though.

    cie are a disrgace...overpriced and run by mafia..they have no competition when it comes to rail services...and are impossible to deal with..
    C.I.E. means close it eventually....AND THEY MAKE SURE THAT NOBODY ELSE GETS THEIR HANDS ON IT....:cool:...


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    #87
    L1011
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 67,615 Mod ✭✭✭✭L1011


    westtip wrote: »
    the failte Ireland study into cycling tourism in 2006 highlighted the dissatisfaction amongst most cycling tourists with an expression that they would not come back. the Germans may come but they won't come back - and more to the point they won't recommend the experience to anyone. I wouldn't recommend a cycling holiday (touring cycling maybe 40 miles or so a day) to anyone, and I live here. Too much personal risk involved on our roads with family vehicles that resemble troop carriers and 8 axel trucks to contend with.

    Hence why a greenway network and some promotion could easily haul tourists back. Germans in particularly seem to love rural Ireland.


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    #88
    Markcheese
    Registered Users Posts: 8,428 ✭✭✭Markcheese


    Even if a rail line/ former rail line has been squatted on , has adverse possession what ever , does that stop or block a right of way or right of access ?? Or were railways never right of ways any way ..... And should a bulldozer be sent down what's left of the disused network ever 12 years to hold possession ??

    Slava ukraini 🇺🇦



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    #89
    end of the road
    Registered Users Posts: 28,984 ✭✭✭✭end of the road


    Markcheese wrote: »
    Even if a rail line/ former rail line has been squatted on , has adverse possession what ever , does that stop or block a right of way or right of access ?? Or were railways never right of ways any way ..... And should a bulldozer be sent down what's left of the disused network ever 12 years to hold possession ??

    i don't know the legal ins and outs of it but i believe the law should be changed to say either of the following.
    1. that unless the land upon which the railway was situated was sold, all the land to do with the former route of the railway abandoned or otherwise is a right away. if a person or persons squat on this land whether be extending their gardens or building a shed or whatever that such obstructions can be removed, and such persons won't be able to apeal or stop the removal of such obstructions.
    2. land upon which the railway was situated is a right away even if abandoned or sold. if a person or persons squat on this land whether be extending their gardens or building a shed or whatever that such obstructions can be removed and such persons won't be able to apeal or stop the removal of such obstructions.
    whatever way you look at it unless everything is sorted out with these old railways their will be no greenways going on them which would be a shame.

    ticking a box on a form does not make you of a religion.



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    #90
    dowlingm
    Registered Users Posts: 5,309 ✭✭✭dowlingm


    DSC_0005.jpg

    The Prescott-Russell Pathway near Ottawa, Ontario which is on the former Canadian Pacific Railway M&O Subdivision. The signage (in English and French because it's a Federal agency) reads:
    Notice: This railway corridor is reserved for Via Rail Canada's future projects. Its use for recreational purposes may be eliminated or changed at any time. The privilege of using this pathway may be revoked at any time without notice."

    Source: http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/Canadian-Passenger-Rail/message/71778


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    #91
    gobnaitolunacy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,073 ✭✭✭gobnaitolunacy


    dowlingm wrote: »
    DSC_0005.jpg

    The Prescott-Russell Pathway near Ottawa, Ontario which is on the former Canadian Pacific Railway M&O Subdivision. The signage (in English and French because it's a Federal agency) reads:



    Source: http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/Canadian-Passenger-Rail/message/71778[/QUOTE]

    Good idea, keeps the rail option open if a traffic flow turns up.


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