Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 June 2018
44. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the capital funding in 2018 provided to Waterways Ireland for work on the Erne-Shannon Waterway; the projects to be undertaken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27096/18]
View answerWaterways Ireland has set aside capital funding in the amount of €284,000 for work on the Shannon Erne Waterway in 2018.
The projects to be undertaken in 2018 are:
Dredging
Certain areas will be dredged to deepen or widen the channel on the waterway to ensure a navigable channel.
Areas to be dredged are: Aghalane, Kicorby, Ballyconnell and Bellaheady.
Service Block Refurbishment
This project will entail the upgrade of Shannon-Erne Service Blocks to meet modern standards at Aghalane, Ballyconnell, Haughton's Shore, Ballinamore, Keshcarrigan and Leitrim Village.
Masonry repairs and/or grouting
Repairs of lock structures along the navigations.
Blueway Trail Development
The existing Blueway trail in Ballinamore Co. Leitrim between Lock 7 Ballyduff and Aghoo Bridge will be connected to Lock 4 Aghoo. This will provide a commencement point at Lock 4 Aghoo including car parking and signage.
A 3.5km Blueway Trail will be developed between old Aghalane Bridge and Lock 1 Corraquill with associated signage and interpretative panels.
Shannon-Erne Blueway Lock 16 to Kilclare:
This comprises the upgrading of the existing 4.9km towpath between Lock 16 Killarcan and Lock 9 Kilclare to a walking and cycling standard thereby creating a multi-purpose Blueway. This project requires the installation of a new footbridge across the navigation at Lock 12 Lisconor. The trail will pass 8 original nineteen century locks and create a path climbing from the Shannon level up to the summit (or highest) level of the Shannon-Erne.
Trailhead signage, interpretative panels, amenity provision and Pedestrian and Cycle counters will be part of this project in addition to bike racks which will be provided at access points to the trail.
Shannon-Erne Blueway Ballyconnell to Bellaheady Bridge Recreational Trail:
This project will develop a 5.5km walking and cycling trail from Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan to Bellaheady Bridge along the Woodford River on the Shannon-Erne Waterway and associated accommodation works with trailheads at Ballyconnell on Waterways Ireland property and at Bellaheady on Cavan County Council property.
It will also connect with the UNESCO Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark town and forest walk which is 6 km in length. Trailhead signage, interpretative panels and amenity provision and Pedestrian and Cycle counters will be provided along with bike racks at access points to the trail.
Both of the projects are partly funded by Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Scheme in conjunction with Cavan County Council
