New greenway plan to be unveiled

Plans for a 5.5km off-road greenway in Offaly are advancing with formal planning approval due to be sought in the coming month.

Offaly County Council has confirmed that it has been working on an extension of the greenway on the north bank of the canal between Henesey's Bridge in Rahan and Plunketts Bridge in Pullough.

It said plans are at an advanced stage and consultation with landowners is ongoing.

The council said it hopes to put the proposal out for public consultation later this month or early next month

The plan would represent an off-road alternative to the current shared arrangement on the southern towpath along the canal, which is also a public road.

Funding has already been approved for the plan from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, pending formal planning approval.

Works continuing on 16.3 kilometres of greenway from Daingean to Edenderry should be completed by the end of the year, the council has said.

This would effectively mean the provision of a full Grand Canal greenway link between Edenderry and Lough Boora.