Funding boost for Ballinahown greenway plan
An off-road greenway connecting Ballinahown to the Bord na Móna greenway and a possible future county archive and library extension in Athlone are among the projects to receive a funding boost from Just Transition funding this morning.
Minister of State Kevin 'Boxer' Moran today welcomed the announcement of more than €3.6 million across four Westmeath projects under the EU Just Transition Fund’s Supporting a Sustainable Transition through Climate Action for a Resilient Territory (START) scheme.
The funding forms part of a €36 million national allocation announced by Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien, supporting 33 Local Authority-led projects across the Midlands.
Ballinahown will receive €550,000 towards the construction of a 1.3km off-road pedestrian and cycling route, connecting the village with the Bord na Móna Greenway network, the local national school and Sports Park.
The construction of the path was given the planning go-ahead in August. It will connect with a seven-kilometre trail between Athlone and the South Westmeath village currently being built by BnM as part of its Midland Trails Network.
The BnM project will pass through the townlands of the Derries, Carrickobrien, Bunahinly, Clonbonny, Corralena, Kilgarvan Glebe, Ballinahown Wood and Ballinahown.
Proposed works on the 1.3km Ballinahown link include the construction of a three-metre wide paved pedestrian and cycleway, construction of a pedestrian and cycleway bridge, cycle parking facilities, signage map boards and public lighting where required.
The allocation also includes €107,000 for a feasibility study into the development of a co-located County Archives and Library extension in Athlone.
A further €251,191 will support a county-wide feasibility study examining the potential for solar photovoltaic generation and battery storage across Westmeath County Council properties.
The largest allocation in Westmeath is €2.6 million for rehabilitation works at Blackhall Place in Mullingar, supporting archaeological, environmental and infrastructure works to prepare the 1.3-hectare brownfield site for future regeneration.
In County Longford, almost €3.7 million has been allocated across six projects.
Minister Moran said: “I am particularly delighted to see the funding for Ballinahown Greenway, which will provide a safe and practical route for pedestrians and cyclists while connecting important local amenities and linking into the wider greenway network.
“The investment at Blackhall Place is also significant for Mullingar, helping to advance the rehabilitation of an important site and supporting its potential for future development.
“Here in Athlone, the proposed feasibility study for a new co-located County Archives and Library facility is a welcome development. It will allow the Council to examine the options for delivering important cultural, heritage and public services in the town.
“Taken together, these projects demonstrate the importance of ensuring that the benefits of the Just Transition Fund are felt directly by communities throughout Longford and Westmeath.”
The Minister acknowledged the work of Longford and Westmeath County Councils in developing and submitting the successful applications and welcomed the role of the EU Just Transition Fund in supporting communities affected by the transition away from peat-based energy production.
He concluded: “This funding is about investing in our communities, protecting our environment and ensuring that the Midlands has the infrastructure and facilities needed for the future.
“I will continue to work to ensure that Longford and Westmeath secure their fair share of investment and that these projects move forward from the planning and design stages to delivery on the ground.”