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Greenways [greenway map of Ireland in post 1]

dowlingm

So there's been quite a bit of discussion of greenways on threads like Western Rail Corridor (Train & Rail Systems) and I was thinking it might be useful to have a thread which pulls together both technical discussion (for example how greenways can co-exist with adjacent roadways or railways) and news (expansions of existing greenways / announcements of new ones)

According to the Connaught Tribune there are moves on getting on Galway-Clifden along the old rail line alignment. Is there anything else starting to reach firm proposals as opposed to discussion?

MOD EDIT: Fantastic Greenway map of Ireland by riddlinrussell here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1HAHB3jpXV7qgrTHgopH4Zl7-ItDHGEPv&ll=53.4320326010536%2C-8.939188105408448&z=7

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Zubeneschamali

mr spuckler wrote: »

there is no greenway in place at the moment west of Athlone

The route will go south to Shannonbridge, and then follow the old canal up to Ballinalsloe. i am surprised to see that Google Streetmaps goes some way down the canal route.

mr spuckler

Sam Russell wrote: »

How much of the Galway to Athlone greenway exists at the moment?

I was trying to figure out if this was a rhetorical question!

so I'm going with the assumption that it's not

there is no greenway in place at the moment west of Athlone - it's far more challenging than the route from Dublin to Athlone in that they're not trying to follow an existing railway / canal etc. it seems that the councils went quite heavy handed in their approach to begin with too and tried to force a solution on landowners without proper consultation or engagement. that was met with a predictable and understandable response and it has stalled since.

Sam Russell

How much of the Galway to Athlone greenway exists at the moment?

whyulittle

Not a lot of detail, but...

Plans for a bridge will connect the Dublin/Galway greenway in Athlone have been given a major boost.

The Minister has appointed Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to complete the Dublin to Galway greenway with the new bridge in Athlone which is the vital component to connect the east and west of the country .

The project was halted in 2015 due to funding issues but will now restart and eventually link Galway to Moscow through a network of long distance cycleways across Europe called the Eurovelo.

http://www.shannonside.ie/news/local/west-meath/handover-dublin-galway-greenway-completion-tii-hailed-major-boost-athlone/

riddlinrussell

medoc wrote: »

From Tullamore town Harbour out past Srah Castle towards the Shannon. But no where near as far as the Offaly Way link to Lough Boora Parklands. It’s as far as Ballycowan bridge.

Thanks very much for that!, I've added it to the map along with Lough Boora loops.

Also spotted this article, the continuation of the Carlingford - Omeath 'Great Eastern Greenway' into Newry will finally open in May.

medoc

riddlinrussell wrote: »

Could you tell me if the 4km is the bit going into Tullamore from Srah or out towards Boora from Tullamore?

From Tullamore town Harbour out past Srah Castle towards the Shannon. But no where near as far as the Offaly Way link to Lough Boora Parklands. It’s as far as Ballycowan bridge.

riddlinrussell

medoc wrote: »

A 4km section of greenway through Tullamore on the canal was just opened. It will be great when it links west as far as Lough Boora Parklands and into the 30km of bike trails in the park. Hopefully planning and funding goes through for the section east towards Edenderry from Tullamore soon too.

https://www.offalyexpress.ie/news/home/307508/council-plan-to-connect-offaly-to-the-west-with-canal-greenways.html

Could you tell me if the 4km is the bit going into Tullamore from Srah or out towards Boora from Tullamore?

Corca Baiscinn

Markcheese wrote: »

Is there an expectation of what a greenaway should be / has to be?
Should some be walking hiking paths? Or suitable for buggies and wheelchairs..., or yes to bikes but not trailers?
Should there be different names or grades for tracks?

Good questions but afraid don't know definite answers. As far as I do know Irish Greenways are generally shared walking/cycling. They certainly should be suitable for buggies and wheelchairs and yes trailers. This of course has implications for width, surface and design of gates. Some of the newer ones are much better than earlier designs. I gather that sometimes a gate has the good intention of keeping motorbikes or quad bikes out but of course has the effect of keeping out would-be legitimate users too. not practical to expect people to take off a trailer or lift a bike over a gate.

Re surface, I think it partly depends on the terrain the greenway traverses. one through a wood will be different from one along a railway lin nd a river may be different again.. There has been controversy over Waterways Ireland's plans for the Barrow and it looks as if it will remain a grassy surface suitable for hybrids but not the other types you mention.

Like yourself would be glad of further info from anyone better informed. All I know is I have cycled on variously surfaced and widths of Greenways in Ireland and Europe. As far as I recall all were shared with pedestrians too. I remember meeting a few recumbent bikes on them in Germany.

DTTAS Greenway Strategy should be due out shortly, wonder if it will say anything re design.

Markcheese

Is there an expectation of what a greenaway should be / has to be?
Should some be walking hiking paths? Or suitable for buggies and wheelchairs..., or yes to bikes but not trailers?
Should there be different names or grades for tracks?

medoc

Corca Baiscinn wrote: »

Is Tullamore in Hidden Heartlands or Ancient East? If the former, funding might come through as they are talking about marketing to people interested in outdoor activities like walking, cycling and water sports. Lough Boora is very peaceful. Great to see another albeit small section of Grand Canal done

Tullamore is Ancient East. As far as I know the funding and planning permission is in place for the section from Tullamore to Lough Boora Parklands and Permission and funding is been looked for for Tullamore to Edenderry currently. And will be looked for to go from Lough Boora to Shannon Harbour.

Corca Baiscinn

medoc wrote: »

A 4km section of greenway through Tullamore on the canal was just opened. It will be great when it links west as far as Lough Boora Parklands and into the 30km of bike trails in the park. Hopefully planning and funding goes through for the section east towards Edenderry from Tullamore soon too.

https://www.offalyexpress.ie/news/home/307508/council-plan-to-connect-offaly-to-the-west-with-canal-greenways.html

Is Tullamore in Hidden Heartlands or Ancient East? If the former, funding might come through as they are talking about marketing to people interested in outdoor activities like walking, cycling and water sports. Lough Boora is very peaceful. Great to see another albeit small section of Grand Canal done

medoc

A 4km section of greenway through Tullamore on the canal was just opened. It will be great when it links west as far as Lough Boora Parklands and into the 30km of bike trails in the park. Hopefully planning and funding goes through for the section east towards Edenderry from Tullamore soon too.

https://www.offalyexpress.ie/news/home/307508/council-plan-to-connect-offaly-to-the-west-with-canal-greenways.html

marno21

Discussion on the benefits of the Kerry Rail Corridor North Kerry railway line greenway from Radio Kerry during the week

http://www.radiokerry.ie/north-kerry-west-limerick-trail-potential-change-lives-april-13th-2018/

mr spuckler

whyulittle wrote: »

The Greenway in Athlone is fully segregated, it starts as such at a level crossing.

yep, maybe 1 - 1.5km from the town center. the plan in time is to bring it right through the town center but for now it's outside of it.

buffalo wrote: »

I don't know if it's with the Greenway in mind, but one of the kissing gates at Royal Canal Park was removed at some point yesterday.

It was slightly tighter than most, which meant to get a standard bike through you had to make sure to go to the very corner, and turn the handlebars a bit too. A minor inconvenience, but still a very pleasant surprise this morning to cycle through the space it used to occupy. I must have done the same in the dark last night and never copped it!

that sounds very tight - they should be wide enough to get a bike trailer through, or at the very least a wheelchair.

buffalo

I don't know if it's with the Greenway in mind, but one of the kissing gates at Royal Canal Park was removed at some point yesterday.

It was slightly tighter than most, which meant to get a standard bike through you had to make sure to go to the very corner, and turn the handlebars a bit too. A minor inconvenience, but still a very pleasant surprise this morning to cycle through the space it used to occupy. I must have done the same in the dark last night and never copped it!

whyulittle

The Greenway in Athlone is fully segregated, it starts as such at a level crossing.

Corca Baiscinn

funnyname wrote: »

I found this on the Clare CoCo site in their 2018 budget report. However the section from the town centre to Lees road is just on road markings where there actually isn't enough room for bikes and cars to coexist safely.

It may be that a Greenway starts in a town but I don't think it should be called a Greenway at that point unless it is segregated from traffic or there has at least been traffic calming and lower speed limits Westport issegregated as far as I recall. Dont think Waterford is at present but didnt do that section. Started Athlone Mullingar at the Moate Heritage Park so again don't know re Athlone. Start of Blueway at Acres Lake in Drumshanbo is definitely segregated. They're planning to extend it to Drumshanbo so hope that's with segregation.

Wonder if there's a recognised definition or seeing as Greenway is such a buzz word at the minute are councils able to slap a bit on paint on a road and lo and behold they have a Greenway

funnyname

I found this on the Clare CoCo site in their 2018 budget report. However the section from the town centre to Lees road is just on road markings where there actually isn't enough room for bikes and cars to coexist safely.

West Clare Railway Greenway Construction work is completed on the 3.5km section from Ennis Town Centre to Lees Road Sports and Amenity Park and along a section of similar length between Ennistymon and Lahinch.

Property owners have been written to and an initial consultation has taken place with the IFA to advise of intentions to carry out initial survey work and landowner liaison along the entire route which ultimately is likely to link Ennis with Clare County Council Page 82 Milltown Malbay (via Lahinch).

One to one consultation has been ongoing with potentially impacted property owners and at this stage approximately 25% have been engaged with.

The process of identification of the most appropriate route and associated deliberations with land owners will, by its nature, be time consuming and will be followed by the preparation of a briefing document by early 2018

blueballfc

Lastest update from fingal,

https://fingalcoco.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/344527/start_time/2721000

and here
https://www.facebook.com/royalcanalgreenway/?hc_ref=ART5jjAiKk99rqa52gSwHKEgs8krUXxFJmFYmfo7WMOcRuPp5F0sM4r0vpBAQWEMGRk&fref=nf

[Deleted User]

The marketing of Waterford to visitors has transformed into a collaborative approach by multiple entities to ensure 2,3,4,&5 night stays are taken up by visitors to the greenway, thereby generating many more streams of revenue for Waterford and its people

http://www.waterford-today.ie/waterford-business/12205-waterford-business-matters-12205.html

[Deleted User]

The new greenway will be a core element in Moate's aim to become the ‘best small town in Ireland

http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/news/roundup/articles/2018/04/05/4154329-moates-aim-to-become-the-best-small-town-in-ireland/

[Deleted User]

Presentation given on proposed Great Eastern Greenway from Carlingford to Drogheda

https://talkofthetown.ie/presentation-given-proposed-great-eastern-greenway-carlingford-drogheda/

Carawaystick

BrianD3 wrote: »

Some more details on the above greenway.
http://www.offaly.ie/eng/Services/Planning/News/Grand-Canal-Greenway-Planning-Report-280318-pdf.pdf

Connecting the Royal and Grand canals with a greenway and making a loop also sounds great but is probably a long way off if it ever happens. There is a long disused branch line railway (MGWR) running from Edenderry to Enfield through Carbury bog that would be perfect if it were mostly intact and in public ownership which I believe it isn't so lots hurdles there. It is mentioned as a potential greenway (greenway K8) in the NTA draft cycle plan for greater Dublin.
https://www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Proposed_Network_Rural11.pdf

It's not too far from Kilbeggan to Streamstown to connect to the Athlone/Mullingar greenway, but some imagination would be required.

BrianD3

spacetweek wrote: »

I'm pretty sure the R104 Enfield-Edenderry scheme from 2014 was built on top of the old railway line.

No the realigned road didn't use any of the old railway line. However the railway line is "severed" by the M4 near the Enfield motorway services.

Old railway line through the bog and realigned R402 shown here
https://www.google.ie/maps/place/Carbury,+Longridge,+Co.+Kildare/@53.3642702,-6.9487869,2701m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x485d85f732e54829:0x2600c7a819bae482!8m2!3d53.3571946!4d-6.9726095

spacetweek

BrianD3 wrote: »

There is a long disused branch line railway (MGWR) running from Edenderry to Enfield through Carbury bog that would be perfect if it were mostly intact and in public ownership which I believe it isn't so lots hurdles there.

I'm pretty sure the R104 Enfield-Edenderry scheme from 2014 was built on top of the old railway line.

BrianD3

Pete_Cavan wrote: »

Good to see Offaly following the lead of their cousins in Westmeath and developing a greenway. Rather than just another linear greenway, long term they should look to create a Midlands greenway loop. If a greenway was created between Tullamore and Edenderry and linked to Royal Canal at Enfield and the Old Rail Trail at Athlone, you could have a c.200km loop of some of the main midland towns. The Midlands won't be able to complete with the Waterford and Great Western greenways in terms of scenery and general tourist trade, but they could offer several days of bike only travel which would be very attractive.

Some more details on the above greenway.
http://www.offaly.ie/eng/Services/Planning/News/Grand-Canal-Greenway-Planning-Report-280318-pdf.pdf

Connecting the Royal and Grand canals with a greenway and making a loop also sounds great but is probably a long way off if it ever happens. There is a long disused branch line railway (MGWR) running from Edenderry to Enfield through Carbury bog that would be perfect if it were mostly intact and in public ownership which I believe it isn't so lots hurdles there. It is mentioned as a potential greenway (greenway K8) in the NTA draft cycle plan for greater Dublin.
https://www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Proposed_Network_Rural11.pdf

funnyname

https://www.change.org/p/western-rail-trail-campaign-create-a-walking-and-cycling-greenway-on-the-closed-railway-from-sligo-to-athenry/u/22574546

Corca Baiscinn

Pete_Cavan wrote: »

Good to see Offaly following the lead of their cousins in Westmeath and developing a greenway. Rather than just another linear greenway, long term they should look to create a Midlands greenway loop. If a greenway was created between Tullamore and Edenderry and linked to Royal Canal at Enfield and the Old Rail Trail at Athlone, you could have a c.200km loop of some of the main midland towns. The Midlands won't be able to complete with the Waterford and Great Western greenways in terms of scenery and general tourist trade, but they could offer several days of bike only travel which would be very attractive.

Agree, Manchán Magan was on some radio programme last year talking re holidays in Irl and he as making the point that there are attractions other than scenery which interest visitors including Irish visitors. As far I remember he mentioned as examples things like the Arigna Mining Experience, The bog at Lough Boora, Athlone Castle and the Cuilcagh Boardwalk. So while some Greenways will offer spectacular views the sheer joy of cycling on a traffic free route combined with interesting laces to visit will also offer an attractive experience.

Pete_Cavan

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Offaly unveils plans for a 32km Greenway

https://www.offalyexpress.ie/news/home/304696/offaly-county-council-unveil-plan-for-32km-greenway-on-the-canal.html

Good to see Offaly following the lead of their cousins in Westmeath and developing a greenway. Rather than just another linear greenway, long term they should look to create a Midlands greenway loop. If a greenway was created between Tullamore and Edenderry and linked to Royal Canal at Enfield and the Old Rail Trail at Athlone, you could have a c.200km loop of some of the main midland towns. The Midlands won't be able to complete with the Waterford and Great Western greenways in terms of scenery and general tourist trade, but they could offer several days of bike only travel which would be very attractive.

[Deleted User]

Offaly unveils plans for a 32km Greenway

https://www.offalyexpress.ie/news/home/304696/offaly-county-council-unveil-plan-for-32km-greenway-on-the-canal.html