A project "with no downsides"
Meath Fine Gael County Councillor Eugene Cassidy is pictured here walking the old railway line at Castletown with Mairead McGuinness MEP where they discussed the plans to develop the Navan to Kingscourt disused railway line into the Boyne Valley to Lakelands County Greenway.
'This project has huge potential to enhance the wellbeing of the people of Meath and Cavan by providing a walking and cycling route of 30km from Navan to Kingscourt”, McGuinness said.
'The two councils and elected representatives have worked hard to get the project on track and it now needs support in the form of funding from the department of transport to realise its potential.
'I am excited by the potential to put into use a disused railway line and provide an incredible recreational resource for the people of Meath, Cavan and beyond,” she said.
Popularity
With walking and cycling holidays also growing in popularity, the Greenway would be a magnet to attract tourists into the two counties and bring revenue to the businesses in the region.
'This is a project with no downsides. The land is owned by the state and therefore there are no difficulties with access. It is a project which, if supported financially, could inject up to €6 million into the local economy.
'I am wholeheartedly behind this project and will be working with my colleagues Councillor Cassidy to push for funding and to see the project completed,' she said.
The MEP said she had a personal interest in the project as she loves waking through the countryside and this proposed greenway would take walkers deep into the countryside and away from traffic.