ronan fagan
Local Fianna Fáil councillor, Frankie Keena, has lauded the opening of the new cycleway bridge which opened in the heart of Athlone on Tuesday morning.
"The high spec and attention to detail of our new cycleway bridge is absolutely fantastic. The beauty of this new bridge, apart from its practicalities, is that it has created a whole new vista for the public to capture that special picture. We now have amazing views of Ss Peter & Paul Church, Athlone Town Bridge, Railway Bridge, River Shannon and the Marina.
"In addition, the new cycleway bridge provides a number of interesting links such as those under the AIB bridge and along the laneway between the Methodist Church and the Athlone Credit Union offices. The fabulous extension that the Radisson Blu Hotel has carried also perfectly compliments this cycleway bridge," Cllr Keena stated.
The councillor noted that the addition of the new cycleway to the Athlone landscape will prove a major attraction within the Midlands region.
"This new bridge will further promote Athlone as a regional growth centre and will be a major attraction and benefit for local people and tourists to enjoy, the positive feedback received from the public being so heart warming.
"There are so many other major public infrastructural works taking place in Athlone at the moment, such as the urban regeneration work in the Mardyke Street area, the Athlone Main Drainage scheme and flood defence walls.
"Progress is at an advanced stage for work to also start around the environs of Athlone Castle under phase one of the overall regeneration of the westside of Athlone. It is so important to complete the regeneration plan for the Connaught Street area in conjunction with the Connaught Street Community Group who are conducting excellent work for their area.
"In addition to all these works there are a significant number of housing schemes presently under construction in the Athlone and Moate areas. It is so important to keep delivering on such a wide variety of new projects for Athlone and its immediate environs," Cllr Keena concluded.
