Another 4km of greenway works get underway

Work started this week on the latest stage of the Navan to Kingscourt greenway project on a 4km stretch linking Wilkinstown with Gibbstown.

It is expected that the work will take about two months to complete and funding is also in place for the 4km stretch linking Gibbstown and Navan. However, before this work can proceed, it requires Boliden Tara Mines to move a pipe on the tailings pond.

Cllr Eugene Cassidy, who has been a driving force behind the Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway, said it is hoped that this work will be done by next April and that work can then start on the Gibbstown to Navan link.

So far, 1.5km sections of the former railway line in Nobber and Castletown have been done and form part of a looped walk in the villages.

Funding is in place to link the Nobber and Castletown sections with this project expected to go to tender shortly. This will include a new bridge over the N52 close to Cassidy's Cross with the design for this bridge already approved by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).

A funding application is currently with the Department of Rural and Community Development under its Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme for €500,000 to join the Castletown to Wilkinstown section of the greenway. Cllr Cassidy said he is hoping for positive new on this application before Christmas.

If approved, it would mean funding is in place to complete the walk and cycle path from Navan to Nobber.

The last piece of jigsaw is the link between Nobber and Kingscourt via Kilmainhamwood and alongside the scenic Whitewood Lake. A joint application between Meath County Council and Cavan County Council for the 8km section is due to be lodged next year seeking €500,000 each.

The last passenger trains to use the old railway track go all the way back to 1947 but Gypsum continued to use the line up to 2001.