Proposed Cycle Network Aims To Link Major Midlands Town

Wednesday, 10 January 2024 10:24

It's expected the project will cost at least €1.5bn.

A number of major midlands towns will be linked, under proposals for a new cycle network.

The National Cycle Network Plan aims to connect cities and towns of over 5,000 people, and will total 3,500km in length.

Among the proposals are plans to link Athlone and Mullingar, Tullamore and Edenderry, and Portarlington and Portlaoise.

This will be done using a mixture of trails, off-road tracks and standard cycle tracks, which will vary based on the area being rural or urban.

The strategy is split into four phases, stretching to 2040, with the majority of the network due to be delivered between 2031 and 2040.

It’s estimated the N-C-N-P will cost in the region of €1.4 billion to €1.9 billion.

Over 400km of the network is already in use, with a further 900km included in the National and Regional Greenways Programme.

Junior Agriculture Minister and Offaly Green Party Senator Pippa Hackett says:

"The National Cycle Network (NCN) Plan is part of wider policy to make cycling safe and more attractive for commuters and leisure cyclists alike.

Across Offaly and Laois it will provide safe, segregated links to towns of over 5,000 people, linking Edenderry with Tullamore, and on to Ballinasloe and Athlone.

Tullamore will link to Portarlington and Portlaoise and from there on to Roscrea, Carlow and Kilkenny.

The key to the success of this Network will be that people feel safe along the whole journey and this strategy, with 4 phases up to 2040 will provide that.

The Network strategy route is currently indicative and to be confirmed but it takes account of existing routes, including greenways and plans that are currently in development - in the case of the Midlands there are exciting plans and further potential for trails and tourism destinations.

People want to be active and we need to support that in a safe and connected manner: This Strategy is a further link in the chain of successfully do that."

The Transport Minister says there's many reasons why the new National Cycle Network is expected to cost around one and a half billion euro.

The proposals would see over 200 settlements around the country linked, including Athlone and Mullingar, Tullamore and Edenderry, and Portarlington and Portlaoise.

The project is set to be in development up until 2040, and will be split into four phases.

Transport Minister and Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan explains why the network won't be cheap: