Work continues on mountain bike trail plans

Coillte has moved to play down fears over its plans for a €4.5m mountain bike trail in the Slieve Blooms in Offaly and Laois.

The project was granted planning permission by both Offaly and Laois County Councils earlier this year.

Fresh doubt was cast on progress of the plans recently when Failte Ireland told the Leinster Express that it had yet to consider whether to fund the project.

However, Coillte, in a statement last week, said it was working with both Offaly and Laois County Councils and with potential funding partners to “explore funding opportunities to deliver the project”.

Coillte also confirmed its intention to deliver the project in phases.

Centred on two trailheads at Kinnitty and Baunreagh, the trail centre will include more than 100kms of mountain bike trails when complete.

Visitor facilities will include an information point, toilets, showers, a café, and car-parking to be provided at or near both trailheads.

These visitor facilities will also provide a focal point for walkers and hikers exploring the Slieve Bloom range. When complete it is projected that in excess of 50,000 visitors will use the trail centre each year.

Coillte's statement continued: “With all projects of this scale, there are objectives for the developers, promoters and funders which must be aligned if a real and valuable partnership is to be formed to deliver the project.”

Coillte is also working with both local authorities to develop an operating model for the trail.

“The operating model must be sustainable in the long term and demonstrate how management, maintenance and trail upgrading can be factored in,” it said.

Offaly County Council CEO Anna Marie Delaney said the council remained fully confident the project would be delivered.

Describing it as a key driver of economic activity in rural areas of the county, she said the council fully supported the project.

It is working with Laois County Council, Failte Ireland and Coillte.

'We are proceeding to everything we can to deliver the project as soon as we can.'