Engagement with NPWS could revive Baylin boardwalk project, Keena says

By Rebekah O'Reilly

Plans to construct a boardwalk linking the Baylin Bog Trail and the Carn Park Forest Trail could be revived following fresh engagement with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), councillors have been told.

The issue was raised at the February meeting of Athlone Moate Municipal District, where Cllr Frankie Keena tabled a motion seeking clarification on why the proposed boardwalk, which had received Part 8 planning approval, did not proceed. He also called for renewed formal engagement with relevant stakeholders to progress the project for public use.

Cllr Keena said the boardwalk would benefit students at Baylin and Mount Temple National Schools by providing educational opportunities to study the biodiversity and ecology of the bog. He added that it would also serve as a valuable recreational amenity for the wider community.

In a written response, the council executive said significant work had been undertaken by the community and the District Office during the planning phase. However, a conflict emerged between the proposal and NPWS plans for rehabilitation of the bog.

"Presently it is not NPWS policy to put boardwalks across bogs as to avoid habitat fragmentation. The bog is an SAC and is an active and graded raised bog. The NPWS are rehabilitating the bog presently.

"Until the rehabilitation works are completed later this year, it is not possible to ascertain if any recreational walk in the SAC can be facilitated. Post rehabilitation the District Office can reengage with NPWS to consider what amenity development would be permissible."

In raising this motion, Cllr Keena stated that he already knew the answer, but he wanted to bring this matter into the public arena. He also criticised the executive’s response as “misleading” and “inaccurate”.

“This went through Part 8 planning and received the full support of the executive of Westmeath County Council. I have engaged with NPWS, and they are anxious to progress this. We need to open the door to engagement to come up with a solution,” he said.

The Part 8 proposal was placed on public display on September 4, 2023, with submissions invited until October 16, 2023.

The development proposed a 975-metre walking link between the Baylin Bog Walk and Carn Park Forest, including 625 metres of upgraded gravel trail and a 350-metre raised timber boardwalk supported by 176 driven posts. The design aimed to allow safe pedestrian access across the bog while minimising disturbance to the protected SAC.

Referring to a line in the executive response stating that NPWS policy does not support boardwalks across bogs, Cllr Paul Hogan described the wording as “very worrying”.

“We have many boardwalks planned in SACs and in bogs, where does this leave those schemes?” he said.

Cllr John Dolan said the proposed link between Baylin Bog Trail and Carn Park Forest Trail had “great potential”.

Cllr Aengus O’Rourke urged the council to engage firmly with NPWS.

“This project is so positive for the area and the community,” he said.

Cllr Keena thanked NPWS for what he described as positive engagement and openness to the project.

“I am now requesting the council executive to open formal discussions with NPWS, as they have confirmed to me that they are willing to engage with the council to identify an acceptable project that can be delivered in this location for the community,” he said.

Responding at the meeting, District Manager Jackie Finney said the Department had not been “overly favourable” towards the proposal and that there had been a “threat of judicial review”.

“Every case and every bog is different. It depends on the nature of the location. The community put a lot of work into this project, and there was significant engagement with the District to advance it,” she said.

She added that while the original proposal had stalled, the broader objective of improving accessibility between Baylin Bog Trail and Carn Park Forest for community and educational use was "still possible”.

“It’s a good project, and the door is not completely closed to some form of project,” she said.