RONAN FAGAN
Ambitions to achieve city status for Athlone were further enhanced on Monday afternoon as the first sod of the pedestrian and cycleway bridge, to cross the River Shannon in the heart of the town, was officially turned by Minister of State Deputy Hildegarde Naughton.
During her ministerial duties, Deputy Naughton also cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of the Whitegates to Athlone Marina greenway scheme.
The Athlone pedestrian and cycleway bridge, when completed in 2023, will perform the function of providing a crossing of the River Shannon as part of the Galway to Dublin Greenway allowing national and international visitors to experience all that the Midlands has to offer in a safe and leisurely manner.
In his address, Westmeath County Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Frankie Keena, noted his aspirations for the future, the sod turning ceremony, complementing the unveiling of Athlone as a university town in recent times.
“The creation of this pedestrian and cycleway bridge for the Athlone urban area will provide the infrastructure required to facilitate the compact and sustainable growth of the town and will enable the delivery of a resilient sustainable modal shift connecting the east side and the west side of Athlone.
“When constructed, the Athlone pedestrian and cycleway bridge that will be visually calm, integrate seamlessly into the existing surroundings and be a worthy addition to the civic life of the town.
“The official opening of the Whitegates to Athlone Marina greenway scheme into the heart of Athlone completes the Old Rail Trail as a fully segregated route between the two main towns in Westmeath. This project benefits the wider community providing active travel linkages for school children, students, employees and local residents.
“These projects will complete 108km of greenway between Athlone and Maynooth forming part of the planned coast to coast cycleway amenity between Galway and Dublin which is of a scale that allows Ireland to tap into the growing international tourism market for cycling - such markets certain to provide economic opportunities for new and existing local businesses,” Cllr Keena asserted.
Acknowledging the relevant funding and support which has enabled the numerous phases of greenway project construction to progress, the Cathaoirleach commended Irish Rail, St Vincent’s Care Centre, Waterways Ireland, local businesses, and members of the public for their ongoing co-operation during this particular time.
“I hope that this support will be extended further during construction of the new pedestrian and cycleway bridge as the end result will be truly amazing,” Cllr Keena concluded.
Noting the connectivity which the realisation of the pedestrian and cycleway bridge will bring to the local community, Deputy Naughton stated the construction, when completed, will enhance enterprise locally.
“The Athlone pedestrian and cycleway bridge will be an important piece of infrastructure which will connect the community and drive enterprise in the area.
“It will offer a safe alternative to those travelling on foot or bike across the town and reflects the shift towards more sustainable travel options which is supported through the government’s investment of €360 million per year in walking and cycling infrastructure across the country to 2030.
“The Galway to Dublin Greenway will be a world class amenity with a natural corridor for active travel from the west to the east of the country and it is an honour to be present at the Athlone Marina to perform the official sod turning prior to the imminent start of construction on the pedestrian and cycleway bridge across the River Shannon,” Deputy Naughton commented.
Cathaoirleach launches Cycleway Audiobook
Concluding proceedings in the surrounds of Athlone Marina, Cllr Keena, formally launched the cycleway audiobook, ‘The Unsilent Stones’.
Featuring fictionalised stories of a number of interesting individuals who are interred in the Abbey graveyard (in close proximity to the Whitegates to Athlone Marina greenway scheme ), including former kings of Connaught, the cycleway audiobook is produced by Abarta Heritage, in association with Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Westmeath County Council National Roads Office.
“The greenway has opened up numerous points of local interest from a heritage and tourism point of view. Evidence of this is portrayed by a number of information boards along this extended route, showcasing information on the early 19th century workhouse, white railway bridge and indeed the Abbey church and graveyard.
“The audiobook is free to access on the Abarta Heritage website, with links also posted on the TII and project websites - cyclists and pedestrians can access the audiobook on their phones and on all major podcast platforms,” Cllr Keena concluded.
