Leixlip Cycle Pathway Canal

"Fine" - as in enough to do the job, yes.

It's OK. There's still puddles, sludgey bits, gravel all over it.

Compared to other greenways and parts of the canal, it's crap.

Maynooth-Leixlip is far worse, but that doesn't make Maynooth-Kilcock good.

Last weekend it was accessable from the Confey end from route under bridge with a wire fence slightly ajar that you could exit on the LB end.

A lot of ground works took place, noticably raised path stretches to prevent flooding... (Speculation) And path significantly widened throughout. There are lamp posts awaiting light fittings. Otherwise it looks finished.

I agree, but “greenway” standard will mean wide tarmac all the way.

they are even ripping up old concrete and tarmac on the canal in Dublin City to meet the new requirements.

I use hiking boots mostly when walking on trails in damp weather.

If I’m running, wet runners are the price you have to pay for getting your exercise on soft ground that’s less damaging to you joints than concrete or tarmac.

There was a proposal to tarmac the barrow way years back, and it was opposed, locals mostly felt that overall something was being lost forever, worth more than what they’d gain.

tarmac still seems to be rejected

As much as I enjoy cycling too, the “nature” aspect of the towpaths are killed off by the wide tarmac greenway standard which goes almost right up to the water. And the modern streetlights on the Leixlip sections. The space

maybe limited in parts, but there isn’t much consideration for mixed-use activities. I.e. the hikers, runners, bird watchers, anglers etc.

Id imagine it will kill of most of the long-distance hiking, not many will want to do the “national famine way” all the way on tarmac.