Summary
This project aims to develop an 85km greenway in Co. Clare, largely following the route of the old West Clare Railway. It will provide an attractive cycling and walking facility for locals and tourists while enhancing the amenity and functionality of the route as an ecological corridor.
The greenway will be delivered in four sections:
- Kilrush to Kilkee
- Ennis to Ennistymon
- Ennistymon to Miltown Malbay
- Miltown Malbay to Moyasta
ROD is progressing the option selection, design and assessment phases of the first and second sections, between Kilrush and Kilkee and Ennis and Ennistymon respectively.
The projects are being progressed in line with the Code of Best Practice for National and Regional Greenways and Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s (TII) new Active Travel Guidelines.
It is hoped that planning applications for both schemes will be made to An Bord Pleanála in 2023/2024.
Solution
As part of the design and planning process, our transportation and environmental teams have been working closely with Clare County Council and specialist subconsultants to identify and assess the constraints along both sections of the greenway, with a view to minimising, where possible, the impacts of the project on the surrounding environment and communities. Extensive winter surveys are being carried out as part of this process.
Section one: Kilrush and Kilkee
Route options for the greenway were presented to the public in September 2022, as part of a second round of public consultation. The feedback received from affected landowners will be used, together with detailed topographical and environmental surveys, to inform the identification of the emerging preferred route corridor.
A third public consultation, at which the emerging preferred route corridor is due to be displayed, will take place in 2023. The design and environmental assessment of the preferred route will progress thereafter.
Section two: Ennis to Ennistymon
The second section of the route consists of approximately 25km of greenway.
The scheme study area was presented at a public consultation, which took place in October 2022.
The project constraints, as defined by our team of environmental specialists, are being used to develop feasible route corridor options, which are due to be presented at a second public consultation in 2023.
Services provided:
- Project management
- Planning
- Environmental engineering
- Landowner liaison
- Civil engineering design