Written answers

Wednesday, 27 September 2017

Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Recreational Facilities Provision

Photo of Tony McLoughlinTony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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72. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the way in which Waterways Ireland can support recreational opportunities in rural counties through the development of blueways and greenways; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40717/17]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Waterways Ireland is responsible for the management, maintenance, development and restoration of 1,000 km of the inland navigable waterway system throughout the island, principally for recreational purposes.  This is a significant recreational resource and Waterways Ireland has been proactive in the development of Blueways and Greenways as a means to attract new visitors and in response to the growth for recreational activities such as walking, canoeing and cycling.

Waterways Ireland with partners in Monaghan County Council, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and East Border Region Ltd. are currently in the development phase of constructing a 22km greenway between Smithborough in Co. Monaghan and Middletown in Co. Armagh along the route of the Ulster Canal.  The project is funded by the INTERREG VA programme and will be one of the first cross-border Greenways in Ireland.

Blueways have been successfully in operation on the Shannon since October 2014 linking Drumshanbo with Carrick-on-Shannon. Waterways Ireland recently opened an iconic Blueways Boardwalk on Acres Lake at Drumshanbo which is already attracting large volumes of users.  The Shannon-Erne Blueway was opened in May 2016 linking Leitrim Village with Belturbet, Co Cavan, providing 70km of paddling journeys, 25km of walking trails and 8 km of cycling. Waterways Ireland, in conjunction with Local Authorities and other partners, are continuing to extend the Blueways offering on the Shannon and Shannon-Erne.

On the Barrow navigation, Waterways Ireland have submitted planning proposals to upgrade the Barrow towpath.  This will provide a 112km trail from Lowtown in Co. Kildare to St Mullins in Co Carlow. 

Work on developing the Royal Canal towpath as a walking and cycling destination is expected to be completed by December 2018 when the 145km route can be marketed as one of the largest Greenways/Blueways in Europe.

On the Grand Canal 21km of towpath has been upgraded with a further 110km yet to be completed.  Waterways Ireland are again working with Local Authorities, Leader Groups, the National Transport Authority and the National Trails Office to ensure planning and funding are progressed to upgrade all of the Grand Canal towpath.

Clearly, the development of greenways and blueways presents valuable opportunities for rural communities to attract more visitors. Their value lies not only in the recreational opportunities that they offer but also in their potential to stimulate local businesses and regenerate local areas. Greenways and blueways  also provide an effective model for partnership between the private, community and voluntary sectors and relevant State bodies.

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