The Mount Elliott tunnel would form a major focal point for the inner Greenway cycling route in New Ross
THE PROPOSED Greenway between New Ross and Waterford could begin next year, according to senior officials in the local authority.
Speaking to the Echo about the project New Ross District Director, Eamonn Hore, said everything is in place to go ahead with the project if final full planning is approved following an application in October.
When contacted by this newspaper about the project Mr. Hore said “work on the Waterford end is motoring ahead with an ambitious plan in place to link the Suirside city with Dungarvan”.
However, the local authorities in Waterford and Kilkenny are both fully committed to the development of the Greenway on the old railway line from New Ross and Mr. Hore said a lot of work has been going on behind the scenes with a view to securing full planning permission for the project.
“It’s ambitious but would really open up the region to tourism and we are also looking at developing a route from New Ross to St. Mullins,” he said.
“We are putting it in as a strategic zone with a view to developing a Greenway route from Rosslare to Waterford,” he added.
Mr. Hore confirmed that such a route would include development of the railway line incorporating the disused stations at Wellingtonbridge, Ballycullane and Campile.
He said development of both routes would be crucial to the overall strategy for the region.
“We were asked by the Environment section in Kilkenny County Council to to surveys of things like badger sets, bats, and other wildlife along the New Ross to Waterford route and we are doing that at the moment.”
Studies on flora adjacent to the route are also being carried out at present.
“The plan would be to accommodate whatever wildlife is there.”
A significant boost to the project is the fact that Failte Ireland now has grants available for major capital schemes.
“It’s the first time in years that has been the case,” said Mr. Hore.
He said the local authority is hopeful of being ready to apply for such grant aid by Christmas, if not sooner.
“It would be a fantastic route because it incorporates so many things that would benefit and attract tourism like the Red Bridge and the Mount Elliott tunnel,” he said.
“The Waterford to New Ross route could become a central link and we’d hope that ultimately could link in with the opening up of the canal links between Dublin and Galway.”
When asked when the project is likely to begin if planning is approved Mr. Hore said: “We hope we could start next year.”
