Greenways [greenway map of Ireland in post 1]

Hexen

Deedsie wrote: »

What would the difference in cost be between a crushed stone cycle track v tarmac cycle track plus upkeep?

According to Sustrans, costs of constructing bound and unbound trails are broadly similar. However:

Based on a whole life comparison, unbound surfaces [limestone, gravel] are at least 50% more expensive than bound surfaces [tarmac, etc.]. However, there are many factors that can accelerate the rate of wear on an unbound path, which would make the cost difference even greater.
Cycle Path Surface Options

Further:

Sustrans initially surfaced many off-road sections of the National Cycle Network with unbound limestone or granite dust surfaces, which were considered most economic and more environmentally friendly at the time. Experience over the last 15-20 years or so has shown however that already significant path sections have suffered erosion, rutting, ponding or other damage that make these paths very unattractive and unusable in very wet weather conditions. Annual maintenance requirements for unbound surfaces are generally higher than for bound surfaces.

They estimate the total cost for 50 year life cycle of a bound path at £120 per m2 and for an unbound path at £170 m2.

loyatemu

trouble a-brewin' over the Barrow greenway: http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/major-battle-brewing-over-controversial-plan-for-115km-cycle-path-on-river-35389268.html

I'm not a huge fan of black asphalt on rural paths - it's fine for cycling on, but I prefer something more rustic for walking (while still cyclable with the appropriate tyres). Rolled grit maybe, but as pointed out it requires more maintenance (which it's unlikely to get in Ireland where nothing is ever maintained) and is more expensive in the long run.

MJohnston

What about the coloured asphalt that you see in some places? I think Phoenix Park has it on the cycle paths, it's a green colour, like this:

yer man!

I wonder if there's any appetite to build some cycle super highways here like they are in London. Seems like such a good option in the cities.
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/routes-and-maps/cycle-superhighways

loyatemu

yer man! wrote: »

I wonder if there's any appetite to build some cycle super highways here like they are in London. Seems like such a good option in the cities.
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/routes-and-maps/cycle-superhighways

well we have the route along the Grand Canal and planning is well advanced for a similar route on the north quays. The route along the coast from Sutton to Clontarf is nearly complete too though sadly the planned route along the Dodder has been put on the long finger.

yer man!

loyatemu wrote: »

well we have the route along the Grand Canal and planning is well advanced for a similar route on the north quays. The route along the coast from Sutton to Clontarf is nearly complete too though sadly the planned route along the Dodder has been put on the long finger.

Ah yes I know the grand canal one, that does look great in fairness. Just saw the north quays design, that would be fantastic. I do imagine this would cause significant resistance however.

Muckyboots

Minister Sean Canney's spinning of 18 months of behind the scenes hard work on behalf of a range of stakeholders, front page of Connaught Tribune, and facilitating a half-cocked presentation to Tuam Municipal Council ( not even on the route) in what seems to be a deliberate attempt at a spoiler against the Athenry-Tuam rail proposal has put the Dublin-Galway campaign firmly on the defensive again. "Greenway has now become a dirty word among farming community" IFA County Chairman.
http://connachttribune.ie/alternative-greenway-route-link-historical-sites-across-east-county-487

Bray Head

There was uproar among the farming community when it was originally proposed to bring a
from Ballinasloe to Galway through farmland, dissecting farm holdings along the way. This proposal was eventually shelved following major opposition from farmers and the IFA.

:):)

Mod: Please do not use large text in posts.  Remove statements such as from the quotes.

Response: It is bold text, not large text. I was trying to draw attention to a typo in the Connacht Tribune but, I guess, once you've explained the joke, it's lost.

marno21

Breakdown of Greenway funding since 2011 here:

https://www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=2017-03-23a.519

marno21

Tender has gone out for construction of a greenway in Co. Leitrim.

https://irl.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/publicpurchase_frameset.asp?PID=110723&B=ETENDERS_SIMPLE&PS=1&PP=ctm/Supplier/publictenders

and in Co. Kerry

https://irl.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/publicpurchase_frameset.asp?PID=110677&B=ETENDERS_SIMPLE&PS=1&PP=ctm/Supplier/publictenders

Zubeneschamali

marno21 wrote: »

Tender has gone out for construction of a greenway in Co. Leitrim.

https://irl.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/publicpurchase_frameset.asp?PID=110723&B=ETENDERS_SIMPLE&PS=1&PP=ctm/Supplier/publictenders

It's a lot more than 830m from Ballinamore to Corgar along the old railway alignement, more like 2.5 K.

whyulittle

Over 1,500 used Athlone greenway extension on one day

The Athlone to Mullingar greenway has been hailed as a major success story and an example for other greenway projects to follow by Transport Minister Shane Ross.

"This is actually achieving everything we want to see from greenways," said Minister Ross on Friday last.

"It's attracting new people to visit the area, it's providing an amenity for local people to cycle on, and it's also making it easier and safer for people to cycle to work and school."

Read More at westmeathindependent.ie.

marno21

https://irl.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/publicpurchase_frameset.asp?PID=111327&B=ETENDERS_SIMPLE&PS=1&PP=ctm/Supplier/publictenders

Tender out today for construction of 3.5km of Carlingford Lough greenway.

plodder

marno21 wrote: »

https://irl.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/publicpurchase_frameset.asp?PID=111327&B=ETENDERS_SIMPLE&PS=1&PP=ctm/Supplier/publictenders

Tender out today for construction of 3.5km of Carlingford Lough greenway.

That's on the NI side of the border. So, there would be a good few km from there to link with the existing Carlingford greenway. It will be good when the whole thing is finished. I go walking up there the odd time, and only found the existing bit by chance. It could do with a few more links connecting it with other walking routes in the area.

serfboard

marno21 wrote: »

https://irl.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/publicpurchase_frameset.asp?PID=111327&B=ETENDERS_SIMPLE&PS=1&PP=ctm/Supplier/publictenders

Tender out today for construction of 3.5km of Carlingford Lough greenway.

An interesting quote from that tender:

Please note our portal www.newrymournedown.org/procurement is not part of or subject to www.e-tenders.ie but they kindly allow us to publish this notice and promote this project.

marno21

Parliamentary question on greenways in Dublin from today: https://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2017-06-28a.411

serfboard

marno21 wrote: »

Parliamentary question on greenways in Dublin from today: https://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2017-06-28a.411

Thanks for posting this. Once again, Shane Ross comes across like a complete bollocks.

Muckyboots

serfboard wrote: »

Thanks for posting this. Once again, Shane Ross comes across like a complete bollocks.

Cutting the tape on the previous Minister's promises suffices as progress for him. If it looks like a duck, talks like a duck but walks with a limp, then it's probably Shane Ross.

L1011

Draft Maynooth Traffic Plan actually has some new alignment, not beside/replacing existing route cycle and walking paths marked as "Greenways". Seems to be an intent to actually have some nicer places to walk to do a Sli na Slainte route more than anything else and will be interesting to see if KCC care what the consultants have suggested.

Corca Baiscinn

marno21 wrote: »

Parliamentary question on greenways in Dublin from today: https://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2017-06-28a.411

Poor answer as SR can't resist taking a swipe at ER instead of acknowledging that Dub Greenways shouldn't just be in the "one for everyone in the audience mix" but be seen as a part of traffic and pollution management as well as of cyclist safety.

His Dept's Greenway Consultation closes next Friday 14th so essential to get input from Dubliners. There's a Template with questions to answer. The consultation doc refers to Urban Greenways and asks if they should be part of the overall Greenway Strategy. Maybe someone can post the links from DOTASS. there's a map too and before I found this thread I had been wondering how much progress had been made on the Royal and Grand Canal sections.

marno21

A tender has been issued for a feasibility study on a greenway between Collooney and Bellaghy, Co. Sligo on the disused Claremorris-Collooney railway line.

https://irl.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/publicpurchase.asp?PID=115687

Corca Baiscinn

marno21 wrote: »

A tender has been issued for a feasibility study on a greenway between Collooney and Bellaghy, Co. Sligo on the disused Claremorris-Collooney railway line.

https://irl.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/publicpurchase.asp?PID=115687

Yes,but it's the Greenway Co-Op itself which is putting out the tender for the feasibility study in order to use the info as part of a submission to DOTTAS, so a long way to go yet. Result will be interesting, especially in light of M Ring's funding for the Velorail on a later section of the route. Presume this section would need to be considered as pat of the whole WRC though it wouldn't get funded in one go in any event

CatInABox

Today is the last day to make submissions on the national greenway strategy, to the department of transport. So be heard or be silent. Email your thoughts on the idea to put a greenway on the closed railway from Sligo to Ahenry and create the 125 km Western Rail Trail as part of the national greenway network.

greenways@dttas.ie

Muckyboots

Tipperary to Waterford Greenway-
https://www.facebook.com/DavMol/
This new FB page is getting savaged by a well-orchestrated campaign by the rail lobby. All's fair and such, but please give it a "like" to keep some balance and fact based discussion on their posts. Rural greenways are in the ascendancy. Rural railway is declining. Some people are in denial.

spacetweek

Read the page there. I would only support this greenway if the railway couldn't be saved.

Middle Man

Muckyboots wrote: »

Tipperary to Waterford Greenway-
https://www.facebook.com/DavMol/
This new FB page is getting savaged by a well-orchestrated campaign by the rail lobby. All's fair and such, but please give it a "like" to keep some balance and fact based discussion on their posts. Rural greenways are in the ascendancy. Rural railway is declining. Some people are in denial.

It's time to stop closing down our railways (one's linking our main urban centres in particular) and instead change our planning system so as to utilise our lines better by way of higher densities. Limerick and Waterford could be developed into much larger cities thereby creating much potential demand.

bk

Middle Man wrote: »

It's time to stop closing down our railways (one's linking our main urban centres in particular) and instead change our planning system so as to utilise our lines better by way of higher densities. Limerick and Waterford could be developed into much larger cities thereby creating much potential demand.

According to a report done by Irish Rail, some of our rural branch lines carry just a couple of dozen people a day (fill maybe a bus or two) and are subsidised to the tune of €700+ per passenger carried!

Hell you could give each of those passengers their own private taxi ride and save significant money!

I'm sorry but that is just insane, such rural branch lines simply don't make economic sense, not with our highly dispersed rural population and with everyone having a car.

For these lines Greenways do make sense. It pritects the alignment in government ownership in case the populations ever do grow large enough and dense enough in future to support and need rail and in the meantime they offer a great amenity to the locals and injection of much needed tourism money.

Bray Head

bk wrote: »

According to a report done by Irish Rail, some of our rural branch lines carry just a couple of dozen people a day (fill maybe a bus or two) and are subsidised to the tune of €700+ per passenger carried!

Hell you could give each of those passengers their own private taxi ride and save significant money!

I'm sorry but that is just insane, such rural branch lines simply don't make  economic sense, not with our highly dispersed rural population and with everyone having a car.

The review was carried out by Irish Rail and the NTA.

It is highly unlikely that Irish Rail would have carried out this kind of analysis and put it in the public domain before the NTA was in existence!

For the rest I agree.

Zubeneschamali

Bray Head wrote: »

It is highly unlikely that Irish Rail would have carried out this kind of analysis and put it in the public domain before the NTA was in existence!

I disagree. Irish Rail have been in the business of closing Irish railways since they were created. CIE before them since the 1950s. The railways have been closing for 70 years.

Markcheese

Zubeneschamali wrote:

I disagree. Irish Rail have been in the business of closing Irish railways since they were created. CIE before them since the 1950s. The railways have been closing for 70 years.

And the canals before that, everything has its day,.. Rural rail has had its..