Preferred route for Kilbeggan to Mullingar greenway published

Westmeath County Council, in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), has announced parties the selection of the preferred route option for the Kilbeggan to Mullingar Greenway project.

The project intends to deliver a greenway from Kilbeggan to Mullingar which will form a key strategic link between the established greenway infrastructure on the Grand Canal Greenway (linking Kilbeggan to Tullamore) and the Old Rail Trail and Royal Canal Greenways (linking Mullingar with Athlone, Dublin, and Longford).

The National Cycle Network (NCN) includes proposals to link Mullingar with Tullamore, which the new greenway would facilitate.

The Kilbeggan to Mullingar Greenway is being planned as a recreational trail, providing tourists, commuters and leisure users with a dedicated corridor linking Kilbeggan to Mullingar.

The greenway would be a purposeful recreational facility for use by cyclists, walkers and other non-motorised users.

The 'emerging' preferred route corridor (EPRC) for the project went on display in June, and 193 submissions were received as part of that public consultation.

Since then, the option selection process for the scheme has been finalised.

This preferred route option starts at Kilbeggan Harbour and includes a section north along the River Brosna to Ballinagore.

From there, it continues north to just south of Lough Ennell. At that point the preferred option includes a corridor linking it to Lilliput Adventure Centre. The route then goes east towards Dalystown before turning north and continuing to the east of Lough Ennell. The preferred option includes both Carrick Wood and Belvedere House and Gardens.

From there, it continues north around Lough Ennell to the Lynn Road before turning northwest to join with the Old Rail Trail to the southwest of Mullingar.

This preferred option map, along with the finalised Options Selection Report is also published on the project website kilbeggantomullingargreenway.ie.

Following the selection of the preferred option, the next phase of TII’s planning and design process, Phase 3 – Design and Environmental Evaluation, has commenced.

The email address for the project is: info@kilbeggantomullingargreenway.ie

Postal Address: National Roads Office, Westmeath County Council, Culleen Beg, Mullingar, N91 T2PE. Telephone: 087 671 3210 (9am-4.30pm, Monday to Friday).