Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 May 2021
137. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of a project (details supplied) in County Kildare under the leadership of Kildare County Council given the timeframes involved in its completion. [28626/21]
View answerPlanning approval for development of the Barrow Blueway from Lowtown to Athy (46km) was received in March 2019.
The project objectives are to:
(1) Provide upgraded and new physical infrastructure in accordance with planning permission;
(2) Provision of infrastructure to achieve ‘Accredited Blueway’ status for the route;
(3) Co-ordinate marketing activity to maximise the potential of the Blueway.
The project is being delivered through the partnership of Waterways Ireland, Kildare County Council and Laois County Council for a total project cost of €6.75 million.
The Barrow Blueway in Counties Kildare and Laois is currently under construction and is progressing well. Surfacing works are complete from Castlemitchell, Athy, Co Kildare to Vicarstown, Co. Laois and also from Lowtown, Co. Kildare to Glenaree, Co. Kildare.
Progress on the project was delayed due to Covid-19 restrictions and project completion is now expected by the end of 2022.
