Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2015
72. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent of Waterways Ireland's role in developing and using canal ways and canal banks to incorporate recreational cycle and walking routes; the sections of the canals which have been developed to incorporate such routes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43487/15]
View answerI have been informed by Waterways Ireland that the Royal and Grand Canals and Barrow Navigation comprise over 400 km of canals which are under its management. These are important publicly owned recreational corridors which support a wide range of boating and water sports. The canal towpaths represent opportunities for both local communities and tourists to enjoy off-road cycling and walking while enjoying the built and natural heritage of these resources. Waterways Ireland works in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders, including local authorities, Fáilte Ireland, the National Roads Authority, the National Trails Office and local communities to develop and enhance the towpaths along the canals in its care.
In Dublin, a programme to upgrade the towpaths into premium walking and cycleways has been ongoing for a number of years. Most recently, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has supported the development of 2.4 km of greenway on the canal towpath from the 10th Lock at Ashtown to the 12th Lock at Castleknock.
One of Waterways Ireland's objectives is to upgrade the towpaths along the entire route of the Royal and Grand Canals, making it possible to travel the 140 km along either canal from Dublin to the Shannon and also to connect the towpaths to the many amenities and attractions along these routes.
Other projects that have been developed or are under development include the following:
- In cooperation with Longford County Council, the re-opening in 2014 of 16 km of multi-use towpath along the disused Longford Branch of the Royal Canal;
- With financial support from Kildare County Council, the upgrading of 3 km of towpath, which forms part of the Arthur’s Way Greenway project, has been completed recently;
- On the Barrow Navigation, Waterways Ireland is leading a consortium of local authorities to enhance the Barrow towpath and create enhanced access to this 100 km valley and canalised river navigation; and
- 60 km of the proposed Dublin to Galway Greenway runs along the Royal Canal towpath and the relevant local authorities have a central role in progressing this project in cooperation with the National Transport Authority and Waterways Ireland.
