Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
305. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that the emerging preferred route for the Athlone to Galway Greenway has excluded a recently constructed cycleway/walkway along the recently re-aligned N67 road between Ballinderreen and Kinvara for a length of over 4 km, given that this route would alleviate the need to CPO lands, create severance of lands and save money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28075/23]
View answerAs the approving authority under the Public Spending Code, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) requires that TII funded Greenway Projects are delivered in accordance with the TII’s Project Management Guidelines (PMGs). Phase 2: Options Selection (of an 8-stage process) of the PMG ensures that a number of options are examined to determine a Preferred Option. During Phase 2 all reasonable / feasible options are examined and their costs, benefits and effects on the environment are interrogated to identify a preferred option, if any, that will progress to Phase 3 Design and Environmental Evaluation.
The existing cycleway on a section of realigned N67 road between Ballinderreen and Kinvara was assessed as a one of the possible route options for the Galway to Athlone Greenway. Following an extensive review involving a detailed multi criteria assessment, the section of realigned N67 road between Ballinderreen and Kinvara did not emerge as the preferred option as it does not meet the objectives for this greenway scheme or the criteria as set out in the Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways.
