First steps being taken on new Athlone to Lanesborough Greenway

The potential for a new local greenway to be developed from Athlone to Lanesborough and Ballyleague will soon be explored by consultants that are being hired by Roscommon County Council.

While it's early days yet for the project, it's hoped the feasibility work which is due to be undertaken will help move the Lough Ree-adjacent amenity closer to becoming a reality.

Earlier this month, the council issued an invitation to tender for consultants that would carry out concept and feasibility assessments on the potential Greenway development.

The local authority indicated that subsequent phases of the Greenway - namely the selection of a route, its design, and environmental evaluation - would be "subject to funding availability and departmental approval."

Eleven months ago, in July 2020, the Government announced funding towards the development of 26 new Greenway projects.

As part of that announcement, Roscommon County Council was awarded €100,000 towards what was then described as a 68-kilometre 'Lough Ree Greenway' from Athlone to Tarmonbarry, north of Lanesborough.

Among the documents which Roscommon County Council included with its request for tenders this month was the 2017 'Lough Ree and the Mid-Shannon: A Shared Ambition' report which cited the importance of off-road paths and Greenways in order to capitalise on the tourism potential of the lake and its surrounds.