Existing agricultural laneways will be cleared and upgraded to carry the greenway.Photos: Cavan County Council

Consultation ongoing on Cootehill greenway

There’s litte over a week left for submissions on the planned new Greenway in Cootehill.

Cavan County Council published the planned route in early May.

The 2.5km route will link the Errigal area on the Cavan road to the Magheranure area on the Monaghan road.

The route identified will see the greenway run along an agricultural lane from the rear of the Errigal County House Hotel to the R188 Cavan road. It will then progress along the road towards Cootehill town, before turning left into the Enterprise Park.

It will follow what are described as “existing agricultural laneways” for a distance of 1.2km around the town, before rejoining the R188 Monaghan road.

It will follow that route to the border with Co Monaghan at Halton’s Park.

A Part 8 planning application has been lodged by the council for the project. Members of the public must be canvassed on the plans before councillors decide whether or not to give their approval.

The application includes the construction of new gravelled surface routes, the widening of some existing public footpaths, the upgrading of existing agricultural laneways and the installation of signage, boundary treatments, street lighting, line marking, fencing, timber barriers and gates at junctions to public roadways.

The closing date for submissions is Wednesday, June 15.

The walking and cycling route has been in the planning process for years, with funding of €200,000 granted last year. A separate funding application to cover construction costs would be needed if the project is approved.

The Dromore Greenway, as the project has been known, is being developed by Cootehill Area Development Ltd in conjunction with Cavan County Council. The organisation aims to connect a number of historical sites across the Cootehill area as part of the wider greenway project in the area.

The Cootehill project also forms a growing list of existing or planned greenways across Cavan.

Public consultations are to be held on the planned greenway linking Cavan town and Ballyconnell later this month.

The 40km long route will connect the towns of Cavan, Ballyconnell, Belturbet and Clones, with three prospective routes being published for consultation.

Cavan County Council says that project “will form part of a regionally significant greenway that will provide linkages with other proposed greenways in the Cavan/Monaghan/Leitrim region and will provide an excellent outdoor experience and recreational activities for all visitors”.