McFadden welcomes start of work on €4m Athlone- Mullingar Cycleway project

Fine Gael Longford-Westmeath TD, Gabriel McFadden, has warmly welcomed the commencement of work on the Athlone- Mullingar Cycleway. Work on the project formally commenced yesterday, (Monday), and is due to be completed by June of next year.

“I have been informed by Westmeath County Council that preparatory work for the Athlone- Mullingar Cycleway commenced today, involving the removal of vegetation on the 40 kilometre route.

“I understand this vegetation clearance will take a number of months to complete, after which the cycleway itself will be installed. This will involve putting down a tarred surface.

“Last May, the Government allocated €4 million to develop this cycle route, which will be of major benefit to local economies in Athlone and Mullingar and surrounding areas.

“I have constantly highlighted the massive tourism potential of national walking and cycling networks. This leisure market is a key target area for this Government in terms of creating jobs in the regions and I would like to applaud the Government for ensuring the funding has been provided for what will be a key tourism product for the region.

“This project is part of a planned national cycleway from Dublin to Galway and currently, this Athlone-Mullingar section is the longest stretch of cycleway being developed in the country.

“This section will finish at Garrycastle, while progress is continuing on developing the Athlone- Galway section of the national route. This includes looking at erecting a brand new town bridge in Athlone as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment.

“Once again, I would like to complement Westmeath County Council and all the stakeholders in this project who are being justly rewarded for their efforts in expediting the initial plans for the Mullingar- Athlone section of the national route.”