Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator O'Loughlin for raising matter and giving me the opportunity, on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, to update the House in relation to the Ballyteague blueway.Waterways Ireland is a North-South implementation body established under the British-Irish agreement of 10 April 1998. It is funded by the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. Waterways Ireland owns and manages the Grand Canal Barrow line, which is a 46 km still-water canal between Lowtown, which is a junction on the Grand Canal, and the Barrow navigation at Athy, County Kildare. Most of the route is in County Kildare, with a section of towpath and canal in County Laois.

Waterways Ireland is currently developing the infrastructure for the Barrow blueway by resurfacing the existing towpath to create a 2.5 m wide accessible, multi-use route. Together with their project partners, Kildare and Laois County Councils, Waterways Ireland is providing pedestrian crossings where the route crosses roads. A number of lowered jetties are being put in place to enable easy access and egress for paddle sports.

While the project has been welcomed by communities and received strong support during this construction phase, there have unfortunately been some incidents of anti-social behaviour witnessed at Ballyteague. Waterways Ireland, Kildare County Council and An Garda Síochána are actively working together to put measures in place to manage the situation effectively and have committed to continued, proactive collaboration between the three bodies in order to deliver a safe and enjoyable experience for all users. A meeting between the three organisations is planned in the coming days to develop a shared approach that ensures the blueway remains accessible and welcoming for all users.

Funding for the programme of works to create the 46 km blueway was secured via a successful joint application by Waterways Ireland, Kildare County Council and Laois County Council to the rural regeneration and development fund, RRDF, and through funding from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to progress the Barrow blueway project from Lowtown and Robertstown through Rathangan, Monasterevin and Vicarstown to Athy. The project is led via a partnership approach, which also includes the private, community and voluntary sectors thereby ensuring that it will be developed, promoted and maintained for the benefit of the region as a whole.

Phase 1 of the 46 km blueway development is nearing completion, with both bound and unbound surface on the entire route practically complete. Installation of access control gates and road crossing infrastructure is also nearing completion. Recent funding from the RRDF will enable the construction of a pedestrian bridge, installation of new access jetties along the route as well as interpretative features such as signage and activation infrastructure.

I will not miss this opportunity to clarify that the RRDF comes from the Department of Rural and Community Development, which is my own Department.