Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 April 2024
134. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the expanded greenways, including the north-west greenways, Carlingford Lough greenway and Ulster Canal greenway outlined in the National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18459/24]
View answerMy Department is currently committed to progressing four cross border Greenway projects specifically the Ulster Canal Greenway, the Sligo to Enniskillen Greenway, the North West Greenway network and the Carlingford Lough Greenway. Funding has been provided by my Department to support the delivery of these projects.
I am pleased to advise that Minister Chambers will be attending a local event on 26th April organised by Donegal County Council to make the formal opening of the Donegal sections of the North West Greenway network (NWGN) constituting two separate Greenway routes connecting County Donegal to Derry and Strabane respectively. A cross border event is planned to be held in Q3/Q4 2024 to mark the completion of the NWGN programme and successful greenway delivery.
I have been advised that the remaining sections of the Carlingford Lough Greenway located in Ireland will be completed shortly and that it is envisaged that the Northern section of the Greenway will be completed by September 2024. An official cross border opening is planned to be held in Q4 2024 to mark the successful delivery of this Greenway.
Progress is being made on the Sligo-Enniskillen Greenway, this project is currently at currently at Phase 2 (Options Selection) of a defined eight stage process. It is expected that a preferred route corridor will be published in Q3 2024; a third public consultation will then be held to allow for feedback to be provided on the preferred route. It is currently anticipated that application(s) for separate Statutory Consent(s) (in both jurisdictions) will be made in 2025.
The Ulster Canal Greenway is being progressed in 12 separate sections which at various stages of development. I understand that good progress is being made on Section 2 (Castle Saunderson to Clones) with a section opening from Clonfad to Clones expected shortly. This project is being advanced by Waterways Ireland as part of the canal restoration project being funded by the Shared Island fund and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. My Department is committed to advancing Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 (located in Ireland) through the design and feasibility stages. I understand that a decision on planning is expected shortly from An Bord Pleanála in relation to Section 7: Monaghan to the Border. My Departmental officials work closely with their counterparts in the Department for Infrastructure to ensure regular updates are shared relating to this greenway project.
My Department is committed to progressing these cross border projects.
