River Suir Pathway /Maypark Trail

Dunmoreroader · 20-11-2020 6:20pm #1

Major upgrade works going on at the moment by the council to this gem of an amenity. Seems the plan is to widen and pave what is currently just a woodlands trail into what looks like Greenway standard for bikes as well as walkers/runners. Planning to reconnect the section behind Glenville, down onto Cove Lane back with the main run from Freshfields-Maypark-Kings Channel-Ballinakill and eventually out to Blenheim.
To reconnect the two bits, the council will have to get access to or buy the old Glanbia/Snowcream site, or at least the section skirting the river by Glen Cove Apartments, which used to contain the trail, now overgrown and blocked off (though popular with students knacker-drinking).
Longterm, I have heard the council want to reinstate the route along the river all the way back into town from Glenville, behind PWC and all the residential gardens along Newtown road down to Waterpark School.
Can anyone shed light on future plans? Up against fairly well-heeled and well-connected potential opponents going into town. Presume there's an old right of way that may or may not be still enforceable?
BTW the views on the trail behind Glenville, high up on the river bank, looking back up towards the city, are spectacular.

Asdfgh2020 · 20-11-2020 7:42pm

Dunmoreroader wrote: »

Major upgrade works going on at the moment by the council to this gem of an amenity. Seems the plan is to widen and pave what is currently just a woodlands trail into what looks like Greenway standard for bikes as well as walkers/runners. Planning to reconnect the section behind Glenville, down onto Cove Lane back with the main run from Freshfields-Maypark-Kings Channel-Ballinakill and eventually out to Blenheim.
To reconnect the two bits, the council will have to get access to or buy the old Glanbia/Snowcream site, or at least the section skirting the river by Glen Cove Apartments, which used to contain the trail, now overgrown and blocked off (though popular with students knacker-drinking).
Longterm, I have heard the council want to reinstate the route along the river all the way back into town from Glenville, behind PWC and all the residential gardens along Newtown road down to Waterpark School.
Can anyone shed light on future plans? Up against fairly well-heeled and well-connected potential opponents going into town. Presume there's an old right of way that may or may not be still enforceable?
BTW the views on the trail behind Glenville, high up on the river bank, looking back up towards the city, are spectacular.

Nice plan but as you refer to above the ‘well heeled’ cohort of residents whose rear gardens ( and ends) are in the way will not be easy to deal with unless they are CPO’d....??

Dum_Dum · 20-11-2020 8:01pm

Those residents can take it up with their solicitor if due-diligence on their house purchase wasn't satisfactory.

Dunmoreroader · 20-11-2020 8:24pm

Asdfgh2020 wrote: »

Nice plan but as you refer to above the ‘well heeled’ cohort of residents whose rear gardens ( and ends) are in the way will not be easy to deal with unless they are CPO’d....??

True, but I thought I'd seen such a plan mentioned somewhere, though I couldn't find a City Development Plan detailed mention. I always thought that the foreshore of every coastline and riverbank was state property but I'm open to correction on that presumption.
Just thinking with the Deise Greenway getting a Bilberry Boardwalk Bypass (BBB -it's like a PPP but better) into Rice Bridge, linking with the South Kilkenny/New Ross Greenway across our impending new North Quays bridge, surely doing something similar down the south bank out to what's already developed and currently being upgraded, and beyond to Blenheim or Cheekpoint, must be exercising imaginations in WCCC?

deise08 · 21-11-2020 8:42am

What about the houses with their private jetties opposite the island?

Asdfgh2020 · 21-11-2020 8:51am

deise08 wrote: »

What about the houses with their private jetties opposite the island?

Just Sever them//plough through them, if resistance transpires then use some strong language, threats and failing that some physical stuff. The well established principal of ’carrying out works for the greater good of the masses/ordinary joe/Josephine’ outweighs the private individuals selfish rights and ‘rights of ways’...?

reni10 · 21-11-2020 9:12am

Which part are the council working on right now and improving?

There has been talk of this for over 20 years but I never saw any actual work taking place so very interested if they have started and if so which part exactly
Are there any plans online we can lookup?

Dunmoreroader · 21-11-2020 11:20am

reni10 wrote: »

Which part are the council working on right now and improving?

There has been talk of this for over 20 years but I never saw any actual work taking place so very interested if they have started and if so which part exactly
Are there any plans online we can lookup?

Freshfield to Park Lane Pumping Station getting a completely new pathway cut through the woods as the old route was too narrow and too close to the water and too many mature trees in the way, I'm guessing.
Separate job going on from Glenville to The Sycamores with new switchback pathway down to Cove Lane. There used be a bridge carrying the pathway over to the Glanbia site there, which got taken down 20 or 30 years ago but that's not getting rebuilt.
No budget to connect the two sections this time around AFAIK.
Couldn't find anything about this on the councils website but you could contact the council's Environment Section I suppose.

kayevajo · 23-11-2020 12:09am

aifaik the coucil actually bought the snowcream/glanbia site and currently renting it to the hospital

Dunmoreroader · 23-11-2020 12:35am

kayevajo wrote: »

aifaik the coucil actually bought the snowcream/glanbia site and currently renting it to the hospital

I wondered about that, there was a huge housing development planned for that site prior to the Great Recession. McInerney's, if I remember correctly?
Thought that site ended up in NAMA?

kayevajo · 23-11-2020 2:14am

Dunmoreroader wrote: »

I wondered about that, there was a huge housing development planned for that site prior to the Great Recession. McInerney's, if I remember correctly?
Thought that site ended up in NAMA?

From what I heard was they bought to have access point to a second bridge that was to reach this part of town.
Of course I stand to be corrected

space2ground1 · 24-11-2020 11:01pm

Great to hear it’s being worked on. Are any of the new sections open to see yet?

Dunmoreroader · 25-11-2020 6:21pm

space2ground1 wrote: »

Great to hear it’s being worked on. Are any of the new sections open to see yet?

Yes, go along at the weekend and there's no problem, diggers and scut trucks still in-situ but not working weekends. New fencing going up too.

Dunmoreroader · 25-11-2020 6:28pm

kayevajo wrote: »

From what I heard was they bought to have access point to a second bridge that was to reach this part of town.
Of course I stand to be corrected

That would make sense rather than landing at the Maypark Nursing Home entrance way(as per City Development plan maps) but it would be still feeding a lot of extra traffic into a VERY busy roundabout and road.

Gardner · 26-11-2020 9:15am

This pathway originally ran to Cheekpoint and then onto Passage East

space2ground1 · 29-11-2020 1:01am

I had a look at some of the trail today and it’s really impressive from Kings Channel to Maypark. It’s going to be such a great amenity if it can be extended fully to the Park Road. Kids could easily cycle to school and it’d give a lovely safe alternative for anyone heading shopping in town.

I noticed that it came to an abrupt stop at Freshfield off Maypark Lane. The green metal fence has a fairly permanent looking keep out sign. Is this is to protect the Cove apartments jetty? I’m wondering how it might be linked to the Glenville side of the trail anytime soon.

Either way, it’s a lovely place to take a stroll or a jog as it is now. Progress!!

Wanderer78 · 29-11-2020 6:32am

space2ground1 wrote:

I noticed that it came to an abrupt stop at Freshfield off Maypark Lane. The green metal fence has a fairly permanent looking keep out sign. Is this is to protect the Cove apartments jetty? Iâ€™m wondering how it might be linked to the Glenville side of the trail anytime soon.

Ah fences can be climbed, sometimes, must have a look at this trail soon, was in that area years ago, stunning views

JohnC. · 29-11-2020 10:18am

I didn't even know this existed. Sounds worth checking out.

highpath · 29-11-2020 11:28am

I have been interested i this walk for quite a while, ever since swmbo was told that there was a way to all along the river into De La Salle.(She was told this by an old acquaintance many years ago.)

I first did the walk from Freshfields about 18 months ago when there wasn't too much overgrowth.(This is the bit walking past the Glencove apartments) (I am not sure about whether you are trespassing or not even though it says private property as There would have been a right of way prior to construction of these apartments so the legality of this sign is questionable)The path was manageable but there are a few areas where you have to duck under tree boughs. Is a lovely walk with even old stone steps in some areas. Would have been from well before the apartments were built and part of the gardens of the house. Even by going around the green fence at the end of the Maypark walk there isn't access to the jetty as this fenced off even from the apartment residents. It is then you meet the access road to the apartments and there is a steep bit to get to the pathway at the rear of Glenville. There are some lovely views from the Glenville

I couldn't see any way of heading towards town from the Glenville path, it is well blocked off. I have tried all the different paths and estates and apartments all the way to DeLaSalle pitch. You can see some private jettys blocking easy access so whether this is feasible....I don't know. Anyway makes my dog walks a bit more purposeful.

FishOnABike · 29-11-2020 2:01pm

Gardner wrote: »

This pathway originally ran to Cheekpoint and then onto Passage East

Would be nice if it could be resurfaced out as far as there again.

It would make a great loop in a Greenway tour starting from Rosslare, through New Ross, Waterford, Dungarvan and back through Waterford on the south of the river, ferry to Ballyhack and rejoin the Greenway back to Rosslare. With a trip as far as Lismore for those wanting a longer trip.

Could be a real selling point for cycle tourists arriving at Rosslare.

Harry Palmr · 29-11-2020 6:25pm

Just found this from 2009
http://cllrmaryroche.blogspot.com/2009/05/suir-river-walk.html?m=1

And 2007
http://www.munster-express.ie/opinion/walking-the-river-walk/

Dunmoreroader · 30-11-2020 12:25pm

highpath wrote: »

I have been interested i this walk for quite a while, ever since swmbo was told that there was a way to all along the river into De La Salle.(She was told this by an old acquaintance many years ago.)

I first did the walk from Freshfields about 18 months ago when there wasn't too much overgrowth.(This is the bit walking past the Glencove apartments) (I am not sure about whether you are trespassing or not even though it says private property as There would have been a right of way prior to construction of these apartments so the legality of this sign is questionable)The path was manageable but there are a few areas where you have to duck under tree boughs. Is a lovely walk with even old stone steps in some areas. Would have been from well before the apartments were built and part of the gardens of the house. Even by going around the green fence at the end of the Maypark walk there isn't access to the jetty as this fenced off even from the apartment residents. It is then you meet the access road to the apartments and there is a steep bit to get to the pathway at the rear of Glenville. There are some lovely views from the Glenville

I couldn't see any way of heading towards town from the Glenville path, it is well blocked off. I have tried all the different paths and estates and apartments all the way to DeLaSalle pitch. You can see some private jettys blocking easy access so whether this is feasible....I don't know. Anyway makes my dog walks a bit more purposeful.

The contractors have knocked a new entrance through the stone wall on Cove Lane just above the gates to Glen Cove Apartments with the new path going up a series of switchbacks leading to the upgraded Sycamores / Glenville section.
Regarding the blocked access and jetty's from PWC into Waterpark, I've been told the riverside pathway right-of-way can still be enforced by the Council, that landowners who built jetty's were told this by the council over the years when checking permission to do so. But my sources might not be right, anyone know the law here?

Dum_Dum · 30-11-2020 3:51pm

FishOnABike wrote: »

Would be nice if it could be resurfaced out as far as there again.

It would make a great loop in a Greenway tour starting from Rosslare, through New Ross, Waterford, Dungarvan and back through Waterford on the south of the river, ferry to Ballyhack and rejoin the Greenway back to Rosslare. With a trip as far as Lismore for those wanting a longer trip.

Could be a real selling point for cycle tourists arriving at Rosslare.

Does anyone know if this section will be integrated into the Greenway system - with associated branding, signposting and maintenance regime?

Dunmoreroader · 30-11-2020 6:44pm

Dum_Dum wrote: »

Does anyone know if this section will be integrated into the Greenway system - with associated branding, signposting and maintenance regime?

Don't know, the whole thing is very low key, that's why we're all on here looking for answers.

space2ground1 · 30-11-2020 7:27pm

This doesn't look like the kind of fence that's going to disappear anytime soon anyway.

Dunmoreroader · 30-11-2020 9:30pm

Coming along nicely behind Glenville as dusk settles with city centre and Ferrybank in the distance.

space2ground1 · 30-11-2020 10:38pm

Dunmoreroader wrote: »

Coming along nicely behind Glenville as dusk settles with city centre and Ferrybank in the distance.

It’d be a shame not to link those up at some point. The missing link then is the Park Road to Glenville section.

iseegirls · 05-01-2021 11:23am

Is it ok for a buggy to go along the path the full way now? Made the mistake of treking down that hill from the Freshfield estate into the woody part a few months back and then reached a lot of massive tree roots, and hopping over such big slopes, that I just turned back. Never went the full route myself

05-01-2021 12:31pm

iseegirls wrote: »

Is it ok for a buggy to go along the path the full way now? Made the mistake of treking down that hill from the Freshfield estate into the woody part a few months back and then reached a lot of massive tree roots, and hopping over such big slopes, that I just turned back. Never went the full route myself

Yep possibly to bring a buggy on the full route now, from maypark to powers court, no issue

Fishy1 · 05-01-2021 12:31pm

At the moment it’s very muddy on the section between Maypark Village & King’s Channel. Wear wellies or old runners!
As regards the buggy, I think you should be fine in the woods by Maypark Village- there’s a good surface on it now. There’s quite a steep hill from Freshfields down to the woods, but I’ve seen other families with buggies & kids on bikes manage it.
It’s a great amenity, especially with the 5k limit at the moment!

05-01-2021 12:37pm

Fishy1 wrote: »

At the moment it’s very muddy on the section between Maypark Village & King’s Channel. Wear wellies or old runners!
As regards the buggy, I think you should be fine in the woods by Maypark Village- there’s a good surface on it now. There’s quite a steep hill from Freshfields down to the woods, but I’ve seen other families with buggies & kids on bikes manage it.
It’s a great amenity, especially with the 5k limit at the moment!

+1 on the wellies or walking boots. Also turn into kings channel where its signposted as just past that is a mud bath.

I have had the buggy and no issues, they have done a great job on it. Also nice that they kept access to the rock on sunnybanks.

Dunmoreroader · 17-02-2021 3:19pm

The National Transport Authority have just allocated €100,000 for the 'Ballinakill / Island Lane to City Centre Pedestrian and Cycle Route WDCC/21/0007'. I presume that's for this.
Anyone got any details? The section between Kings Channel and Park Lane pumping station needs upgrading, it's nearly impassable with mud following heavy rain due to the huge increase in numbers using it now.
Would like to hear some plan from WCCC on reconnecting section ending at Freshfield to Cove Lane/Sycamores/Glenville walkway. Would involve reinstating the former walkway section through the old Snowcream site, now owned presumably by the HSE as it has the UHW staff carpark there?

Fishy1 · 17-02-2021 4:28pm

Dunmoreroader wrote: »

The National Transport Authority have just allocated €100,000 for the 'Ballinakill / Island Lane to City Centre Pedestrian and Cycle Route WDCC/21/0007'. I presume that's for this.
Anyone got any details? The section between Kings Channel and Park Lane pumping station needs upgrading, it's nearly impassable with mud following heavy rain due to the huge increase in numbers using it now.
Would like to hear some plan from WCCC on reconnecting section ending at Freshfield to Cove Lane/Sycamores/Glenville walkway. Would involve reinstating the former walkway section through the old Snowcream site, now owned presumably by the HSE as it has the UHW staff carpark there?

That section between Maypark Village & King’s Channel is a mud bath! Contractors have been cutting back the ditches there for the past two days. Apparently this section is next for improvement works. Following that it seems that the woods in the old Snowcream site is next to be worked on.

Great to see it happening, particularly with all the extra footfall currently on it. My dream would be for it to extend all the way into town, but I don’t see that happening any time soon!

Dunmoreroader · 17-02-2021 5:44pm

Fishy1 wrote: »

That section between Maypark Village & King’s Channel is a mud bath! Contractors have been cutting back the ditches there for the past two days. Apparently this section is next for improvement works. Following that it seems that the woods in the old Snowcream site is next to be worked on.

Great to see it happening, particularly with all the extra footfall currently on it. My dream would be for it to extend all the way into town, but I don’t see that happening any time soon!

Great to hear about the current work at Maypark/Kings Channel; haven't been down there for a while due to the weather. Will WCCC need to CPO part of the Snowcream site from the HSE or do they own it themselves?

Fishy1 · 17-02-2021 6:07pm

Dunmoreroader wrote: »

Great to hear about the current work at Maypark/Kings Channel; haven't been down there for a while due to the weather. Will WCCC need to CPO part of the Snowcream site from the HSE or do they own it themselves?

As far as I know the land that the HSE car park is on is being leased, the HSE doesn’t own it. A lot of that site is privately owned though - planning permission was granted years ago for a housing development, I think.
I reckon that the Council may own a section of the site adjacent to the river, but I’m not sure about that.

Asdfgh2020 · 17-02-2021 6:43pm

Dunmoreroader wrote: »

The National Transport Authority have just allocated €100,000 for the 'Ballinakill / Island Lane to City Centre Pedestrian and Cycle Route WDCC/21/0007'. I presume that's for this.
Anyone got any details? The section between Kings Channel and Park Lane pumping station needs upgrading, it's nearly impassable with mud following heavy rain due to the huge increase in numbers using it now.
Would like to hear some plan from WCCC on reconnecting section ending at Freshfield to Cove Lane/Sycamores/Glenville walkway. Would involve reinstating the former walkway section through the old Snowcream site, now owned presumably by the HSE as it has the UHW staff carpark there?

€100k will build about 50/60m of cycle way...,,

iseegirls · 10-04-2021 11:16pm

Nice to see theyve extended the width of the pathway in the last few weeks. Very handy, as it was becoming a mud bath in some sections.

Dunmoreroader · 12-04-2021 9:29am

iseegirls wrote: »

Nice to see they've extended the width of the pathway in the last few weeks. Very handy, as it was becoming a mud bath in some sections.

Yep, and the missing link through the old Snowcream site is going to be reinstated soon. Job is out to tender from what I've heard. Site still owned by Glanbia I've also heard, so HSE carpark must just be a long-term lease arrangement.
Would love to see what the Council have up their sleeve for the last kilometre into town i.e. Glenville/PwC to Marina Hotel.

Dunmoreroader · 12-04-2021 12:46pm

https://waterford-news.ie/2021/03/31/popular-river-walkway-to-be-extended/

Dunmoreroader · 21-06-2021 7:29pm

Dunmoreroader wrote: »

https://waterford-news.ie/2021/03/31/popular-river-walkway-to-be-extended/

Anyone know when the work to extend the river walk through the Glanbia site is going to commence?

Fishy1 · 21-06-2021 10:43pm

Dunmoreroader wrote: »

Anyone know when the work to extend the river walk through the Glanbia site is going to commence?

I think I heard that it would start in the autumn.

Dunmoreroader · 21-09-2021 2:47pm

Wall broken through on Cove Lane and tree-felling underway since last Friday to connect the walkway from Freshfields. Will be finished by October I've been told.

reni10 · 21-09-2021 2:57pm

I see they have started to remove tress beyond the fence at the Maypark water pumping station so not sure if that is part of the extension of the walk or they are just getting rid of the trees there are they may have become too old and dangerous but hopefully it does have something to do with the extension of the walk...

Dunmoreroader · 21-09-2021 4:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117919948#Comment_117919948

Definitely clearing a path for the Riverwalk link according to fellas working on Cove Lane side.

Dunmoreroader · 22-11-2021 10:10pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117920210#Comment_117920210

New pathway now 95% completed between Freshfield and Cove Lane. Big job undertaken to cut a new path and culverts for a stream through the jungle of a woods that's there. Lot of history to this former 19th Century ornamental gardens of Major Goff behind the old Snowcream site. The current works have uncovered all sorts including a nice little stone featured waterfall and a couple of ponds or reservoirs, not sure which. Be interested to hear the full history, if anyone on here knows more.

Next phase will be Glenville into town behind PWC Accountants and on past lots of well-heeled Newtown houses with river frontage. Should be interesting.

Fishy1 · 24-11-2021 10:17pm

Are there actual plans to continue the walkway in towards town, do you know? As in, has the council secured funding etc? It would be such a fantastic achievement if they have!

villamar · 25-11-2021 9:24am

The opening of the new pathway is tomorrow. Plans are definitely to proceed to the city. Will link into the greenway. Apparently approx 12 feet from a river is deemed "no man's land" and this would be the land to be used for the pathway into the city. Should be very interesting!

iseegirls · 25-11-2021 11:40am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118219325#Comment_118219325

Yep, looking from Google Maps, there seems to be a lot of houses along the Newtown Road which seem to have their back gardens right up to the waters edge. So will indeed be very interesting how that's overcome

Dunmoreroader · 26-11-2021 12:33pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118218320#Comment_118218320

I don't know how far advanced the Councils plans or funding are. I'm only going by what I've read or picked up from talking to lads working on the walkway.

Fishy1 · 26-11-2021 4:40pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118225764#Comment_118225764

Fingers crossed that it goes ahead- think of the amount of traffic it would take off the Dunmore Road! It would be fantastic to think that kids could cycle off-road all the way to school 🤩

space2ground1 · 28-11-2021 6:35pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118208182#Comment_118208182

Interesting!! I’d love to learn a bit more about the old gardens that were at that site. Is there a history of it anywhere I could read?

River Suir Pathway /Maypark Trail

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