PLANS TO develop a 22km Greenway walking and cycling trail from New Ross to Waterford have been given the thumbs up by CIE (Iarnrod Eireann).
The organisation has also given the green light to develop a similar amenity on the piece of disused railway line out to the Redbridge over the River Barrow as part of a looped walking and cycling path in and around New Ross.
In his monthly report to the members of New Ross Municipal District Council, Meeting Administrator, Anthony Bailey, said work on developing plans for the schemes had “significantly advanced” through the efforts of an inter-agency group comprised of Wexford and Kilkenny County Councils, Waterford City and County Council, Kilkenny Leader Partnership and Wexford Local Development.
“CIE, Iarnrod Eireann, has given its consent that Wexford Co. Council submit planning applications to develop walking and cycling trails along the disused CIE railway lines that run southbound from New Ross to Waterford and northbound, for 2.5km,” said Mr. Bailey.
The northbound route will lead onto and across the Redbridge and then back into New Ross via Cherry’s Road.
“Planning applications will be prepared in early 2015 to advance these trails that will, subject to funding, transform and add significantly to the development of tourism and recreational infrastructure in New Ross,” said Mr. Bailey.
The news was met with widespread approval from the members with Cllr. Michael Whelan commenting: “It seems like a good project and a good idea.”
He then asked if a similar plan could be looked at for the old railway line between Wellingtonbridge and Waterford – via Ballycullane.
However, Cllr. Willie Fitzharris commented: “We might be seeing trains back on that.”
“It’s never been closed,” added Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Larry O’Brien.
Cllr. Anthony Connick asked if car park facilities could be developed at the CIE site in Rosbercon where the old station used to be located.
Mr. Bailey said the overall proposal will be based around the development of a ‘trail head’ but he added that CIE is supportive of it.
Cllr. Connick then suggested that CIE might also be amenable to moving the recycling centre currently located in Rosbercon onto the site of the old railway station.
In response Mr. Bailey said all the agreement reached to-date was based around the development of the trails.
“I think we should keep them separate,” he said.
“For the moment let’s keep the plan as it is to develop it,” added Cllr. O’Brien.
Funding:
Cllr. Martin Murphy welcomed the proposals but asked where funding for the project will come from.
“Where will the primary funding come from?” he asked.
He asked if Tourism Ireland could be sourced as a possible funding stream due to the nature of the proposal.
Mr. Bailey said in response that expenditure had already been out-layed by Wexford County Council and by the former New Ross Town Council with regard to a structural report on the Redbridge.
He also said Kilkenny Leader Partnership is involved in funding a study for the Waterford to New Ross trail.
“Failte Ireland does provide some funding,” said Mr. Bailey.
“We want it to be shovel ready [and] we will look at all avenues of funding.”
“I do welcome that,” replied Cllr. Murphy.
“You do seem to have done the groundwork.”
Cllr. Michael Sheehan expressed support for the scheme and said it was a good idea.
Area Manager, Eamonn Hore, said the plans are part of a bigger overall project.
“Wexford is behind in terms of cycling trails up to now,” he said.
“We have not been ready with full plans up to now,” he added.
He went on to comment: “We hope, by next year, to have everything in place so that if we have the money we could go to tender within weeks.”
Mr. Hore added that other areas of the county could also be looked at with regard to developing such trails.
“The New Ross to Waterford line sits in with the one to Dungarvan,” he said.
The members were then told that the project would cost in the region of €3m to develop.
“Kilkenny and Waterford are also involved but it means more to us than anybody,” said Mr. Hore.
“Waterford has formally given its ok for us to apply and go-ahead,” he added.
“I formally propose we do that,” said Cllr. Connick.
