Communities urged to have their say on the Galway to Athlone Cycleway project ahead of submission deadline – Dolan

Fine Gael Senator Aisling Dolan has urged the public to have their say on the Galway to Athlone Cycleway project ahead of the submission deadline on Monday.

The Galway to Athlone project will complete the 270km car-free corridor between Galway and Dublin for cyclists and walkers, creating the opportunity for week-long cycling holidays.

The Roscommon – Galway Senator said, “Ballinasloe is a fantastic town and its inclusion along this new route is a perfect way to showcase South Roscommon & East Galway as part of ‘Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands’, with stunning trails along the Beara Breifne & Hymany Ways and ancient routes close to the Esker Ríada and through Clonmacnoise.

“The project team has been undertaking an early stage consultation to listen to people’s feedback on the need for the project and to identify local amenities, attractions and features within the study area.

“I am reminding people that they can make a submission to the Greenway Project team to tell them why Ballinasloe would be the perfect stopping point along the trail for visitors ahead of the submission deadline this Monday, 7^th September.

“We have the newest town in Ireland with our recently completed street enhancement, a great choice of hotels & restaurants with lots of activities including boating linking the marina on our River Suck to Shannonbridge. The Athlone-Galway cycleway will provide a safe place for families to walk and cycle including wheelchair users, this will be a resource for our whole community.

“The purpose of this first public consultation is to hear feedback on the need for the project and possible routes that you believe should be considered by the project team.

“This is the first of four periods of public consultation which will be undertaken before a planning application is made in 2023.

“Working together with all the villages and communities in Ballinasloe and surrounding areas by consensus, we will have the chance to transform our town with the development of a Greenway. I would like to commend our volunteers in Ballinasloe for the work they have done so far in promoting the project.

“I am pleased that the Government is committed to working with local authorities to continue to develop an integrated national network of greenways to be used by commuters, students, leisure cyclists and tourists.”