Pedestrian bridge over the Shannon: good or bad idea?

The building of a landmark pedestrian bridge over the River Shannon in Athlone is a live possibility. Westmeath County Manager Danny McLoughlin said at the recent Athlone Town Council budget meeting that the time had come for the town to decide whether it wanted this project or not. Developing this bridge, which would link The Strand and Left Bank areas of town, is one of the objectives listed in the draft Athlone Waterfront Strategy published in 2010. Mr McLoughlin stated that the town council had, in recent years, set money aside for developing one of the projects mentioned in the 2010 waterfront strategy. In its budget for 2013, the council agreed to add another €45,000 to the fund for a waterfront project. "There's no point in a having a plan sitting on a coffee table if we don't act on it," said the County Manager. He is looking for public feedback on whether the people of the town think a pedestrian bridge over Shannon should be pursued by the council or not. The council was now consulting with Failte Ireland to find out if there was a specific waterfront development for which the tourism body could provide matching funding. The Athlone waterfront strategy outlined a number of potential developments, including a 'Strand Square' at The Strand; a new exhibition centre and entertainment venue near Burgess Park; a new boathouse at the existing Athlone Boat Club; and an open-air art fair adjacent to the new Luan Gallery. It also raised the possibility of "innovative future opportunities" for the waterfront areas, including: "an evening time floating restaurant or cruise", a waterfront cinema and a fun fair with a ferris wheel over the waterfront.