A FEASIBILITY study on the proposed greenway from Scariff to Limerick has concluded that there is potential for a high-quality and well-connected amenity, which will form part of the proposed Shannon Greenway.
A briefing was provided in late April to Oireachtas members on the route which will be around 40km in length. Oireachtas members were told that progress so far includes the completing of Phase 1 work on the Concept and Feasibility of the Limerick – Tuamgraney/Scariff Greenway.
This work involved developing a study area and establishing the planning context as well as identifying constraints and establishing viability.
TDs and senators were shown two Preliminary Route Options (PROs). The first, Green PRO would follow The Shannon from Limerick to meet the Shannon Tail Race/Head Race. It would then proceed along the Parteen Basin to meet the Killaloe Bypass.
The second, Red PRO would follow the Park Canal/River Shannon from Limerick to The University of Limerick (UL). It would then follow the Plassey Canal/River Shannon to Parteen Weir and follow the R463, branching off cross country from Parteen Weir towards Killaloe.
In relation to the northern half of the Greenway, from Killaloe to Scariff, the Green PRO would follow the R463, while the Red PRO would go cross country, following local roads and field boundaries. An Orange PRO would follow the Lough Derg shoreline.
Constraints identified by Clandillon Civil Consulting include landownership, land use and planning, ecology, human health and other issues.
One significant constraint which rules out certain PROs were identified as ecological issues. These rule out the use of riverbanks and shorelines. In addition the ESB’s concerns about the operation and maintenance of its facilities rules out the use of the Shannon Head Race/Tail Race.
Constraints for further consideration include issues along the R463 and existing bridges; slope and topography between Killaloe and Tuamgraney; landownership and ecology.
The feasibility study has concluded that there is no feasible route between Clonlara and Parteen Weir. For that reason, the study area is to be expanded to determine further route options.
Overall, the study suggests that feasibility has been confirmed “with potential for [a] high-quality, well-connected greenway facility”, and that the objectives of the project can be met.
The next steps are to finish the Phase 1 study by looking for alternative feasible routes from Clonlara to Parteen Weir. Formal route options will be developed for public consultation.
A process of selecting options in accordance with standards set out the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) will then be done to establish a preferred route, which will then go out to public consultation.
The greenway connecting Limerick and Clare is being developed in the context of Fáilte Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands brand, The Shannon Tourism Masterplan, The Lough Derg Visitor Experience Development Plan and Clare’s Tourism Strategies.
Locally, the greenway will form an integral element of a new tourism masterplan for the Shannon, and will also integrate with The Clare Tourism Strategy, The Killaloe-Ballina Mobility Plan and The Inis Cealtra Visitor Experience.
It will form part of the proposed Shannon Greenway which will run from the river’s source to the estuary.
The vision developed for the route is as follows: “The mighty Shannon will become Irelands surprising heart. It will be highly valued for its special environmental qualities and biodiversity by locals and visitors alike.
“It will be a haven for on-water experiences offering the visitor a wide range of ways to get active in nature in a sustainable manner. The Shannon will invite the visitor to slow down, stay longer and to engage with its heritage and communities providing a sense of the real Ireland and creating an unforgettable holiday experience.”
The new Limerick-Clare amenity will form part of what was described as a “greenway jigsaw”. This comprises routes along the Royal Canal, with 120km from Maynooth to Longford and linking to the existing Dublin-Galway route to Athlone.
Along the Grand Canal, routes currently under construction include Shannon Harbour to Robertstown and a link to the Barrow Blueway in County Carlow. Limerick Greenway routes will connect Newcastle West to Abbeyfeale with further linkages into North Kerry.
With the preferred route unveiled earlier this year for the Dublin-Galway Greenway, links will be created between Athlone, Portumna, Woodford, Loughrea and Galway.