Popular Athlone walkway’s €90k upgrade

By Rebekah O'Reilly

Popular Athlone riverside walkway Ranelagh Way, known locally as No. 1, has undergone upgrade works to the value of €90,000.

The works were funded under the Community Recognition Fund, and have seen the removal of trees and vegetation as well as the widening of the pathway at the site.

A Westmeath County Council spokesperson said the management of trees and vegetation was undertaken in accordance with an ecological assessment prepared for the site, which recommended vegetation management to enhance the overall biodiversity value of the area.

Works undertaken included the removal of trees that had been damaged during recent storms and had already fallen or were leaning into and impacting the River Shannon navigation channel.

The council said it had engaged with Waterways Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service in relation to the works.

The project also includes the repair of existing fencing and removal of redundant fencing, a widening of the pathway to approximately 2.5 metres where feasible, drainage improvements to address ponding, a resurfacing of the path with its traditional yellow dust finish, and provision for the installation of litter bins along the route.

Westmeath County Council said it considers that the works will deliver a number of benefits.

It said these include enhanced biodiversity, improved accessibility along the route, improved drainage and path conditions, improved safety and passive surveillance, and enhanced views of the River Shannon.