North South Ministerial Council calls for the connection of cross border Greenways

The North South Ministerial Council (22 April 2015), which was attended by political representatives from both sides of the border, has heard of the social and economic benefits of greenways.


The ministers welcomed the continued investment by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Department for Regional Development on the promotion and development of sustainable transport options, including cycling.


The North South Ministerial Council is a body that has its origins from the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement (1998) which provided for co-operation and implementation for mutual benefit.


A number of interesting presentations were given by representatives from bodies such as Waterways Ireland, Tourism Ireland and local authorities. Some mentionable presentation were:


Comments

Post a Comment

Please share your thoughts

Popular posts from this blog

Offaly greenway could link to the Dublin Galway greenway

Image
According to reports from the  Midlandsradio.fm , Offaly County Council has announced proposals for a walking and cycling path along the Grand Canal from the county boundary in the east to Shannon Harbour in the west and a plan to link in with the Dublin to Galway greenway. A planning application for the first phase, running from Tullamore to Lough Boora Discovery Park, is expected to go out for public consultation in February with works due to begin in June if there are no hold-ups. While the cost has not been announced, it's hoped the local authority will be in a position to access national funding next year if the project is 'shovel ready'. A series of public meetings on the 'Greenways Strategy', which includes further pathways and plans to link in with the Dublin to Galway route, will be held next month in Tullamore, Birr, Lough Boora and Edenderry. Chief Executive of Waterways Ireland Dawn Livingstone, who attended the council's monthly meet
Read more

Hopes rise as consultation launched on Dublin Galway Greenway.

Image
credit: shannonside.ie The next round of consultation on the Dublin to Galway Greenway is taking place this week  The preferred route for the Galway to Athlone Cycleway project has been identified.  Four public information events to display the preferred route will be held in County Galway from March 28-31. The highly-scenic cycleway, which connects to the existing Dublin Athlone Greenway, is intended to form part of an international network of long-distance cycling trails in Europe. Landowners, farmers, cyclists, those in the hospitality industry and the wider community are all invited to view the preferred route for the 205 km stretch.  Representatives of the project team will be on hand to answer questions about the route at each event.The public information events, open from 3pm to 8pm, will take place at the: Oranmore: Oranmore Lodge Hotel, Tuesday 28th March at 3-8pm Gort: Lady Gregory Hotel, Wednesday 29th March at 3-8pm Portumna: Town Hall, Thursday 30th March at 3-8pm Ballinas
Read more

10 Years On - What has happened to the Dublin Galway Greenway?

Image
In September 2012, Leo Varadkar the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, proposed the first off-road cross-country cycle route. “ Ireland doesn’t have a cross-country, off-road cycle route, and this would have significant potential to be marketed internationally and attract new tourists who may want to walk or cycle across Ireland ” - Minister Varadkar said. Ten years on, Ireland still does not have a cross-country greenway. Has the project died? Will it ever happen? What has this project delivered? What have we learned? Back in 2012, Ireland was in the depths of a recession following the global financial crisis. Tourism appeared to be one of the only shining lights in Ireland’s economy. Leo Varadkar was a rising star in the Fine Gael party and, as a newly appointed minister, he was quick to announce various tourism initiatives such as the extension of the 9% VAT rate for tourism, the “Gathering”, a global call to the Irish diaspora to return to Ireland during 2013 and the first
Read more