New proposals contain lots of new info on Greenways in the region

‘CycleConnects: Ireland’s Cycle Network’ is a new plan to develop cycle networks across 22 counties in Ireland, published by the National Transport Authority (NTA). The plans are now out to public consultation until on Friday November 11 and can be accessed until then on the NTA’s Consultation Portal.

The detailed proposals, which don’t include those counties already covered in the Greater Dublin Area Cycle Network Plan (i.e., Meath / Dublin / Kildare / Wicklow), were developed in consultation with local authorities and with Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s proposed National Cycle Network in mind. Included are proposals for cycling links in cities, towns and villages, as well as connections between larger towns.  The plan also incorporates existing and planned cycle routes such as greenways and blueways.

New greenways

Looking at the maps for the North-East region, and in particular the County Cycle Network for Louth, which shows the larger region, there is LOTS of new information on greenways included in these proposals.

✅ The Boyne Greenway
✅ A Greenway connecting Boyne Greenway to Fingal Coastal Way
✅ BVLC Greenway (Boyne Valley to Lakelands County)
✅ BVLC Greenway extension to Carrickmacross
✅ Proposed Carrickmacross to Dundalk
✅ Proposed Dundalk to Drogheda Greenway
✅ Proposed Dundalk to Carlingford Greenway
✅ Proposed Castleblayney to Dundalk Greenway
✅ Greenway connection to Armagh District Council (NI)
✅ A new greenway along the Boyne Road in Drogheda
✅ A new greenway in Ardee
✅ Navan to Kells Greenway (M8)

Note: the proposed greenways for the ‘Fingal Coastal Way’, ‘The Boyne Greenway (Mornington-Balbriggan)’, ‘Dundalk to Drogheda, ‘Dundalk to Carlingford’ and the ‘Great Eastern Greenway’ (the existing in Omeath) could potentially all join together to form a new Great Eastern Greenway (previously known as National Cycle Network Corridor 5, see map below).

➡️ For the Boyne Greenway, the proposals include the extension from Drogheda-Mornington (now awaiting approval from An Bord Pleanála), as well as the aforementioned link south from Mornington all the way to Balbriggan (unnamed as of yet?), to link up with the Fingal Coastal Way. It doesn’t, however, include the Navan-Trim section (although this map is technically just for Louth, so it may be there yet). There is also a new section in Drogheda on the R167 Drogheda Road, north of the River Boyne.

➡️ For the BVLC Greenway, this is where it gets really exciting (no, really). We can see the current greenway ending in Kingscourt. However, for the first time we can also see the planned extension north to Dundalk confirmed in an official document (i.e., on the proposed Kingscourt-Carrickmacross and Carrickmacross-Dundalk greenways). This extension would follow the old Great Northern Railway’s Irish North West line toward Dundalk, where it could eventually link up with the Great Eastern Greenway (mentioned above), linking Dublin to Belfast. This would be a major benefit for the greenway as it would in effect open up a fantastic loop, creating lots of possibilities in the region.

These plans are all now at public consultation phase, and we would urge all those with interest in these greenways to make a submission expressing your support. The consultation runs until on Friday November 11 and can be accessed on the NTA’s Consultation Portal.