“Fairly positive” response to Athlone cycleway route

Approximately 20 to 30 people took part in a public consultation event last week on the route for the proposed cycleway in Athlone town.

One of the council officials involved in the project said people were “generally fairly positive” about the emerging route for the cycleway.
The public consultation was held in Athlone Civic Centre from 2 to 7pm on Monday, December 9.

It solicited views on the Athlone town section of the planned Galway to Dublin greenway. The development would involve the construction of a cycleway coming west from Hallsbridge and passing Athlone Castle.

The cycleway would then cross the River Shannon on a new bridge (between the town bridge and the white railway bridge) before going on to link with the proposed cycleway on the Athlone to Mullingar disused railway line at Garrycastle. The cycleway would be open to both walkers and cyclists.

Speaking on Thursday last, Michael Kelly, project engineer in the Regional Design Office of Westmeath County Council, said several people’s views on the cycleway were recorded during last week’s consultation.

The council had received one written submission by email, and other people had taken forms which were due to be filled in with their views on the plans, but these had not yet been returned.

“Generally (the public consultation) was fairly positive. There were a number of opinions on the proposed new bridge, with some people in favour of its location in the emerging route and others who felt it should be in a different location.
“We will evaluate all of the views and public submissions before making a final decision (on the cycleway route).”

A route selection report on the Athlone town section of the planned ‘Galway to Dublin Greenway’ can be accessed on the Athlone Town Council website: www.athlone.ie/udc/

Submissions in relation to the development can be made to the Senior Executive Officer, Civic Offices, Church Street, Athlone, before 5pm on Friday, January 3.