TII seeking further detail on Lough Derg Greenway
Transport Infrastructure Ireland has sought a revised report on the proposal to create a 24km greenway between Ballina and Dromineer.
Tipperary Co Council in association with Clandillon Civil Consulting is proposing to create the ‘Lough Derg Greenway’, a walking and cycling route along the lake. Five route options were created and a number of public consultations have taken place on these since the greenway was first mooted in 2022. The scheme is currently at options selection stage.
The council submitted a draft options selection report to TII for consideration. This included cost estimates for the scheme.
The January meeting of the council was informed that TII would not recommend submitting the report for peer review at the present time. A revision of the report was advised.
Cllr Phyll Bugler understood that TII had raised concerns in relation to “slopes” in the area and that the greenway scheme was unacceptable as presently proposed.
Noting that the 2024 allocation from TII for greenways in Tipperary was €690,000 - including €80,000 for Ballina-Dromineer - Cllr Bugler pointed out that a lot of money has already been invested in the scheme. She wondered what would happen next.
Adressing the matter after the meeting, Acting Senior Engineer Paddy Crowley said the design team is currently reviewing the feedback received from TII and would work on providing the necessary information in response.
“In general, TII are looking for further detail and analysis as part of this options selection report,” Mr Crowley stated. “It is accepted that it is a challenging scheme in relation to achieving the gradients as set-down in the TII guidance documents along any route chosen for the scheme.
“It’s the nature of the terrain in the area, and that’s why the area is so beautiful; as a result, any scheme would prove very costly to deliver, and thus the consideration of the cost benefit ratio from the scheme delivery.”
Depending on selection, the preferred greenway route may include such sites as the Graves of the Leinstermen, the Millennium Cross, Lookout, Castlelough, Garykennedy and Youghal Quay. It is envisaged that this route would link in with other greenway plans, including that of the 40km Limerick-Killaloe-Scariff proposal on the opposite side of the lake.
Ultimately, it is intended that the Lough Derg Greenway would form part of the proposed national cycle network, which would link it with the major towns and cities of Ireland through a dedicated network of greenways.
There has already been extensive engagement on the project. Approximately 500 submissions were received in the second round of public consultation in 2023, though many of them were from the same party making more than one submission.