Increased tourism anticipated as new Shannonbridge floating jetty approved
Offaly County Council has granted planning permission to Waterways Ireland for 108 metres of new floating jetty on the eastern bank of the Shannon river in Shannonbridge.
The jetty, which is aimed at providing safe mooring facilities for cruising craft, smaller boats and canoe access in Shannonbridge, will be anchored by steel piles and will include a ramped section/lower freeboard for canoe access. The project also includes a 1.5 metre access path.
Waterways Ireland sought permission to construct the jetty in March of this year, and submitted a Natura Impact Statement and an Ecological Impact Assessment as part of their application.
The planning authority sought further information on the project on May in which they requested that the applicants provide details of the “expected levels of usage” of the proposed development and the “likely additional customers” that would be generated via the road/footpath. They also sought details of how the development would cater for the parking of additional bicycles and/or vehicles.
In its further information request, the council pointed out that there is “a legacy issue” in Shannonbridge in relation to domestic waste from boats and campervans arriving at the marina area, and noted that there had been reports by Birr Municipal District on several occasions that bags of domestic waste have been “dumped next to the marina ... as well as being stuffed into the public bins along Main Street.” Council planners requested the applicants to provide details of how domestic waste from the boat and other customers of the marina would be “managed appropriately.”
In the response to the request for further information, Waterways Ireland said there is currently an “existing overuse” of the Shannonbridge facility leading to “unsafe double mooring of boats at peak times” and it had been asked by the Shannonbridge Action Group to provide additional facilities.
It said it had no proposals to provide additional bicycle and/or car parking as part of the planning application, or to provide any additional infrastructure to cater for new stalls.
In relation to the disposal of domestic waste, Waterways Ireland said it encourages users to follow the 'leave no trace policy' and there is current signage for the disposal of rubbish at the site. “Additional signage can be provided if deemed necessary by OCC” the further information response stated.