Public views invited on Lough Derg Greenway plan

Tipperary Co Council holding second consultation on lakeside amenity

Tipperary Co Council is holding a second public consultation phase on the proposed Lough Derg Greenway, a 24km walking and cycling route between Ballina and Dromineer.

The council is now inviting the residents of the local area, members of the public and other interested parties to participate in the second non-statutory public consultation on the Route Corridor Options for the project. This consultation phase began on November 28 and will continue until Thursday, January 12. Your participation in this consultation is important and we would value any feedback that you think should be reviewed by the project team to help inform the development of the project.

An in-person public consultation event took place at Nenagh's Abbey Court Hotel last Wednesday. A second in- person consultation event will take place at the Lakeside Hotel, Ballina, this coming Wednesday, December 7, from 2pm until 7.30pm. Members of the project team will be available to discuss any queries or concerns regarding the project you may have.

In addition, hard copy maps, brochures and feedback forms are available for inspection at the following locations:

Nenagh Civic Offices, Limerick Road, Nenagh (E45 A099); Killaloe Public Library, The Lock House, Killaloe (V94 ED83) - please note that public opening times may vary.

These documents may be inspected during normal office hours, 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, up until January 12 (excluding weekends and bank holidays).

The Lough Derg Greenway is a proposed 24km-long walking and cycling path that would connect Ballina and Dromineer. In addition to connecting the towns themselves and their associated attractions, it is envisaged that the greenway would improve accessibility to other local attractions in the area, which, depending on the selection of the preferred route, may include the Graves of the Leinstermen, the Millenium Cross, The Lookout, Castlelough Fortified House, public park and forest, Garykennedy Harbour and Youghal Quay. It is also envisaged that this greenway would ultimately form part of the proposed national cycle network, which would link it with the major towns and cities in Ireland through a dedicated network of greenways.

OUR VISION STATEMENT

The vision for the Lough Derg Greenway is to create a walking and cycling path adjacent to or overlooking Lough Derg that provides for a world class recreational experience for people of all ages and abilities, which will serve the local community and attract tourism to the region. The greenway will be developed in accordance with the Code of Best Practice for National and Regional Greenways and will seek to integrate with and enhance the existing natural and built features of the region in co-operation with the communities that it passes through.

The development of a project of this nature involves several stages, which include Phase 1: Concept and Feasibility, Phase 2: Options Selection, Phase 3: Design and Environmental Evaluation, Phase 4: Statutory Process, Phase 5: Enabling and Procurement, and Phase 6: Construction.

Phase 1 involved the development of the Study Area, public consultation in respect of the Study Area, and the preparation of a feasibility report. The current stage of this project is Phase 2: Options Selection.

A feasibility report has now been developed, which considers the rationale for the project along with engineering and environmental constraints within the Study Area. Route options have now been developed, which take account of project objectives and known constraints.

These route options are shown on drawings that can be viewed on the dedicated project website, www.loughderggreenway.ie.

HAVE YOUR SAY

The public’s feedback is now being sought in respect of the options developed and the type of facility that will be provided. Options developed will be compared to one another in accordance with the Code of Best Practice for National and Regional Greenways prior to the selection of a Preferred Option. Following the selection of a Preferred Option, a further round of public consultation will be held. It is currently envisaged that this will happen in early Q2, 2023.

Following the completion of the Public Consultation in respect of the Study Area developed for the scheme, the Public Consultation in respect of the Route Options is now open. The Route Corridor Options presented in this non-statutory public consultation are subject to change based on stakeholder consultation and the further development of these options. The selection of the Preferred Route Corridor for the overall Greenway may comprise of a combination of any route options presented. Have your say, by taking the survey on the project website.

You can also submit feedback by filling out the feedback form available at the Nenagh Civic Offices or Killaloe Public Library; by email to loughderggreenway@c3.ie; by post addressed to: FAO – Clandillon Civil Consulting, Loughderg Greenway Project Team, Osprey Business Centre, Devoy Quarter, Naas, Co Kildare, W91 W0D0.

The Project Team can also be contacted by phoning 045 254 231.