Much anticipated next section of South East Greenway to open this spring
South East Greenway will link Waterford and New Ross when completed.
Works are progressing well along South East Greenway, according to Kilkenny County Council.
Director of Services Ian Gardner gave an overview on the mainline works and the Greenway links to roads across the region.
On the Lot 5A stretch, the 5.5km section between Ferrybank and Curraghmore, the final surface layer has been completed and the drainage edge stone is now 99% complete. Mr Gardner said: "Fencing works along the greenway continues with the installation of the timber screen fencing along Lot 2 within Ferrybank completed; works are also nearing completion at all level and segregated agricultural crossings."
On the safety fence in the carpark at Ballyverneen, Glenmore, he said: "A Road Safety Auditor has been appointed and the Road Safety Audit will progress later this month.
"Once all the outstanding works are completed a safety audit will be conducted, thereafter, any recommendations arising out of same will be assessed and other minor finishing out works will be completed to facilitate the opening of this section of the greenway towards the end of Q.1 2025."
For the South-North Access Road at Ferrybank, Mr Gardner stated: "A planning application under Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations was advertised in September last for the South-North Access Road; the proposal includes the South East Greenway Trailhead carpark at Ferrybank."
On the Greenway Link to Glenmore, the Council are progressing to the detail design, land acquisition and construction phase of the project. The project will incorporate the provision of a new Pink Cycle Loop, which will offer greenway users travelling from the New Ross end the option of cycling back along an alternative route beside the River Barrow. Tender documentation is currently being prepared, and the tender competition will be launched in the "coming weeks".
The Woodstock to South East link is currently in the Phase 1 stage, with the first public consultation due next month. The link to Slieverue, the looped connection between the Kilmurray Lane route and Luffany route, is at an advanced state and will be before the Plenary Council this month.
