Navan section of greenway opens completing an 8km stretch of the cycle and walking path as far as Wilkinstown

The Navan section of the Boyne Valley to Lakeslands County Greenway has opened, completing an 8km stretch of the cycle and walking path as far as Wilkinstown, writes Noelle Finegan.

Access to the greenway in Navan is at the Ratholdron Road, a short distance from the entrance to Blackwater Park and the new 3km section joins the 5km that is already open from the Tara Mines Tailings Pond to Wilkinstown.

Work is ongoing between Wilkinstown and Castletown and is expected to be completed in late summer.

Six kilometres of greenway between Castletown and Nobber are currently open, while works are ongoing on the section between Nobber and Kilmainhamwood, which runs alongside Whitewood Lake.

The walking and cycling route, along the old Navan to Kingscourt Railway Line will then continue on to Kingscourt where Cavan County County Council is looking at linking with Dun na Ri Forest Park.

"This greenway when it is complete will be the most pedetrian friendly greenways in the country with all the local loops. These greenways are as important for walkers as they are for cyclists," said Cllr Eugene Cassidy.

Meanwhile a funding application is currently with Transport Infrastructure Ireland for car parks in Gibbstown and at the Kilbeg Road in Nobber to serve the amenity as well as for a footpath/cycle lane between Kilberry and Gibbstown providing safe access to the greenway for the people of Kilberry.

Separately, plans for a carpark with 40 spaces to serve the greenway in Wilkinstown have been lodged with Meath County Council.

Brendan Doughty is seeking permission for the development beside Doughty's Filling Station, which also includes landcaping and a picnic area as well as a footpath to the access the greenway.