By Andy Spearman
Wednesday’s announcement that planning permission had been refused for the Mornington to Drogheda Greenway was a blow for cyclists, walkers, joggers and anyone involved in the hospitality or tourism sectors especially as greenways are being opened all over the country
However, Slane based Councillor Wayne Harding is predicting a better outcome for the larger section of the greenway, from Drogheda to Navan and further out to Trim which he is expecting to be announced soon.
He says that businesses, both local and from further afield, are pushing the Council to progress their plans as soon as possible as they can see the commercial and tourism benefits that would accrue from a greenway, especially as it is now more likely than ever that Slane is to get a bypass.
Harding says that it is the Council’s intention to restore the Boyne navigation so the complete package will attract boaters, kayakers, cyclists, walkers and nature lovers to the Boyne Valley between Drogheda and Navan and upstream as far as Trim.
For their part Meath County Council say that extensive research has been carried out in relation to future flooding of the river and it is expected that an emerging preferred route option will be announced in the last quarter of this year which would allow the authorities to move to public consultation in relation to final design.
“This is good news as the tourism potential of the Boyne Greenway is absolutely huge” Councillor Harding said adding that the greenway would provide walking and cycling access to the World Heritage site at Brú na Boinne, Trim Castle and all the other attractions throughout the whole Boyne Valley region.
“The Boyne River meanders through a valley that is incredibly rich in all aspects of Irish history including a world heritage site that is older than the pyramids.
“To connect Bettystown Beach to Drogheda, Slane, Navan and Trim by foot, bikes and boats is an absolute no brainer at a time when we are looking for ways to combat the devastating ravages of climate change” he said, adding that “It has the potential to be the finest greenway in the country, these plans give Slane the potential to become the jewel in the Boyne Valley that it should be.
“We’re not that far away from an application going in for the Slane bypass so the potential is there to replace the trucks that go over the bridge into Slane village with a pedestrian and cycleway veering off the greenway to allow visitors to explore all the treasures that Slane has to offer and then rejoining the main greenway.
“It is now six years since County Manager Jackie Mauire organised a delegation from Meath which I led to meet the Waterford Chief Executive to explore how the Dungarvan to Waterford Greenway was delivered.”
Councillor Harrding told Drogheda Life that the greenway has absolutely transformed Dungarvan and it has proved to be a major success with over 2,500 rental bikes available and lovely restaurants and other stops along the 46kms route which, he pointed out, is the same distance from Drogheda to Trim.
“A huge amount of work has been put in since then and I feel the economic benefits in Waterford can be mirrored in the Boyne Valley, while people enjoy themselves in an environmentally friendly way.”
