Route of Cootehill greenway announced
The route for a new greenway in Cootehill has been announced.
Cavan County Council has published the plans for the 2.5km route, linking the Errigal area, close to the Errigal Country House Hotel, on the Cavan road to the Magheranure area on the Monaghan road.
The walking and cycling route will follow the R188 road, before progressing through the Cootehill Enterprise Park for a distance of 500m. It will then follow the route of what are described as “existing agricultural lanes” for a distance of 1.2km.
The Part 8 application includes the construction of new gravelled surface routes, the widening of some existing public footpaths, the upgrading of existing agricultural laneways and the installation of signage, boundary treatments, street lighting, line marking, fencing, timber barriers and gates at junctions to public roadways.
The route has been planned for a number of years, with plans for it to continue and link with the Ulster Canal Greenway. €200,000 in funding was announced last year under the Outdoor Recreation Fund from the Department of Rural and Community Development.
The route identified will see the greenway run along an agricultural lane from the rear of the Errigal Hotel to the R188 Cavan road. It will then progress towards Cootehill town, before turning left into the Enterprise Park.
It will then follow existing laneways, before rejoining the R188 Monaghan road. It will follow that route to the border with Co Monaghan at Halton’s Park.
It’s proposed that 500mm quarry dust will be used to create an improved surface for laneways. An assessment submitted with the application says “no trees or hedgerows will be removed along the route” on laneways.
A road safety audit carried out as part of the planning process highlighted a number of recommendations including lighting to illuminate parts of the route and issues with access for agricultural vehicles along the laneways proposed for use.
The assessment says “there will be no public lighting along the off-road routes and this will only be provided at junctions to the public footpaths”.
A number of safety measures are also recommended to ensure the well-being of walkers and cyclists, particularly along busy road sections of the route.
What’s being billed as the Dromore Greenway is being developed by Cootehill Area Development Ltd in conjunction with Cavan County Council. The organisation aims to connect a number of historical sites across the Cootehill area as part of the wider greenway project in the area.
It’s expected a new application for funding would be submitted if Part 8 planning for the project is approved.