Route options for Cavan-Ballyconnell greenway revealed

Likely route options for the planned greenway linking Cavan Town and Ballyconnell have been revealed.

Two sections of greenway are proposed, with three indicative route options for each. The draft route options will be published in advance of consultation process.

All options begin at the Cavan Town greenway and run to Butlersbridge and on to Cloverhill. There the greenway splits, with one link running to Redhills and Castlesaunderson where it’s proposed to link with the Ulster Canal Greenway.

The greenway also runs from Cloverhill towards Belturbet and on to Ballyconnell where it joins the Ballyconnell to Ballyheady trail; which itself links with the planned Cavan Leitrim Railway Greenway.

One of the proposed routes for the trail, the red route, follows the path of the former rail line running from Cavan to Belturbet and Ballyconnell.

Running for 40km, the greenway has been described as “regionally significant”, particularly as it links with other existing or proposed routes like the Ulster Canal and Cavan Mullingar Railway Greenway.

It’s described as offering an “excellent outdoor recreational experience for all users” and improving accessibility to towns and points of interest.

Planning for the project is still in the early stages, with two public consultations yet to take place. Planning for greenways follows the same process as that of the building of a new road, with route selection and public consultations to be held.

Consultations with the public are expected to be held on the route options in the coming weeks, with a second round to be held once the preferred route is identified.

A compulsory purchase process is also expected to take place following the selection of the preferred route.

Consultants OCSC are co-ordinating the project on behalf of Cavan County Council, in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). That body has overall responsibility for the country’s greenway network.

West Cavan Councillor John Paul Feeley welcomed the publishing of the route options. He said it’s “great to see plans to extend the Cavan Town Greenway are progressing”.

“The routes will eventually bring us into a national network of the Cavan Mullingar Greenway and the Sligo to Enniskillen Greenway.”

He also foresees the land acquisition process as a potential stumbling block for the project. Opposition from landowners in south Roscommon and Galway led to long delays with the Dublin to Galway Greenway project. Talks between TII, landowners and the IFA saw the project delayed for years.

“The importance of engaging with landowners and recognising their needs was highlighted to the consultants and council engineers”, said Cllr Feeley, stressing the need for consultation.

The news follows the publishing of the plans last week for the Dromore Greenway running through Cootehill.