The existing Limerick Greenway will also gain new connections to towns such as Rathkeale, Newcastlewest and Abbeyfeale
By Rebecca Lenihan
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan revealed today that more than half-a-billion euros will be spent on the development of national roads and greenways this year. A separate €63 million investment in Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s Greenway Programme has also been announced, to include funding for a new route from Shannon Airport to Limerick City.
Local Green Party TD, Brian Leddin, says that the proposed greenway will be “really important for the economic development of the mid-west”.
The Greenway Programme investment will bolster the ongoing development of around 70 projects nationwide, including the Limerick to Scariff Greenway and Limerick Greenway – which will gain new connections to towns such as Rathkeale, Newcastlewest and Abbeyfeale.
Mr Leddin believes that the new Shannon to Limerick Greenway will see Shannon Airport become a “destination airport”, where tourists will arrive and embark on “cycling holidays” towards Limerick City, “continuing on to places such as Killaloe or Scariff.”
“Cycling tourists will come from all over the world because Ireland’s climate is actually really good for cycling tourism and it is a very attractive destination.”
The funding comes as a result of the Programme for Government’s commitment of €360 million per annum to ‘walking and cycling infrastructure’, encouraging people to choose a ‘safe, sustainable and healthier alternative to private car use’.
Green Party TD Leddin says of the initiative, “We are pushing the vision of an interconnected greenway network that will support tourism but also transport in our rural areas.
“It is a very worthwhile investment, and we are looking forward to seeing progress in a few years’ time when we have that network built out.”
