Senator Mark Wall has welcomed the confirmation that the Barrow Blueway is to be completed by the end of 2022, this year.
The project was granted planning permission in 2019 to complete the development of the existing 46km towpath from Lowtown to Athy.
In a parliamentary reply to his colleague , Duncan Smith T.D., the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government confirmed that:
Waterways Ireland was granted planning permission for the development of the existing towpath from Lowtown to Athy, a distance of approximately 46km in 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; and
(3) Co-ordinate marketing activity to maximise the potential of the Blueway.
Work commenced on site in the late summer of 2020 with completion of works by Waterways Ireland expected in late 2022.
To ensure the Barrow Navigation remains navigable and as accessible as possible into the future, Waterways Ireland’s priorities include the delivery of the 46km Blueway route from Lowtown to Athy in partnership with Kildare and Laois County Councils and the development and approval of a five-year strategic maintenance programme to the planning authorities.
Commenting further on the reply, Senator Wall stated “This amenity has already benefited the entire South Kildare and Laois areas. It is very positive to hear that Waterways Ireland hope to have it completed by the end of the year. I also welcome the news that a five year strategic maintenance programme is currently in discussion. I look forward to its completion and the benefits it will bring to the areas it travels through.”
For more contact Mark on 0833341488
About Mark https://labour.ie/people/markwall/