By Andy Spearman
It has long been a dream for many people, and not just walkers and cyclists, that the route of the old Boyne Navigation from Drogheda to Navan be reopened for leisure and tourism pursuits.
Today that dream took a big step forward to becoming a reality with the publication by Meath County Council of their ambitious plans for the Boyne Greenway scheme.
The proposed Greenway will run from the main gates of Oldbridge Estate to Andy Brennan Park in Navan.The proposed Navigation Restoration Scheme, which extends from Oldbridge Guard Lock to the Canal Harbour in Navan, is to be considered separately from the Greenway Scheme.
The 26.5km Greenway will provide a pedestrian and cycle route passing through some of Ireland’s most significant visitor attractions including Slane Castle, the Battle of Boyne site at Oldbridge and the UNESCO World Heritage site at Brú na Bóinne along the way.
This of course will make it very attractive to walkers and cyclists from throughout Ireland and from overseas who are availing of similar schemes throughout Ireland and bringing with them badly needed business in many communities.
The plans include the provision of a new footbridge across the river Boyne at Slane Castle which will allow people to visit the world famous castle and it’s distillery and also open up an easier route to Slane Village further adding to the benefits of the recently announced bypass and public realm enhancement plans. https://droghedalife.com/news/slane-bypass-and-public-realm-enhancement-plans-submitted-to-an-bord-pleanla
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AtkinsRéalis Ireland, the company working with Meath County Council on the project, say the proposed route will be suitable for people of all ages and mobility levels and offers a safe route where the scenic Boyne Valley can be enjoyed as part of your commute, for leisure, exercise or to visit local villages or towns.
A second round of Public Consultation on the project starts today, 11th December 2023, at https://consult.meath.ie and will close on 29th January 2024. Further information is available at www.meath.ie/BoyneGreenway
Submissions should be made no later than 5.00 p.m. on 29th February 2024 and can be made by email to activetravel@meathcoco.ie, or by post to Boyne Greenway & Navigation Restoration Consultation, Active Travel, Transportation Department, Meath County Council, Buvinda House, Dublin Road, Navan, County Meath, C15 Y291, or via https://consult.meath.ie.
Once this public consultation period has ended, the design team will collect and analyse all of the submissions received. These will be summarised and a report with responses to the various themes raised will be issued. Where necessary and appropriate to do so, the Emerging Preferred Route may be modified to reflect the feedback that is received.
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Once the preferred route is finalised, preliminary design will commence where further detail on the exact layout of the greenway will be developed. Additional liaison with landowners will be held throughout this stage of the project and further general public consultations will be held prior to submission of the final planning documents to An Bord Pleanála in 2025/ 26.
