Royal Canal Greenway

Yeah the destruction of the wildlife habitat is my major objection to putting it on the north bank. They keep banging on about being sensitive to it but it's not possible if you're talking about a 4 metre tarmac path that's lit 24 hours a day.

It's a massive trade off.

I'm not sure what the solution is to that.

Since we are talking about a substantial path, flyovers, walls, fences, lighting.

Its route into town I'd only do in good light back when it was quiet. Haven't attempted (in the dark) since it got so much more popular at Ashtown. Maybe Its better (feels less isolated) now.

Are u the Kildare CC official I ran into? His line for doing nothing to advance the Greenway was "biodiversity". If all the locks were fixed and the canals dredged to enable barge traffic again the waterway would spring back to life as regards fish alone as the whole system reoxygenates with use. As it is its mostly a collection of stagnant anoxic pools. Then line the whole canal with suitable trees all the way to the Shannon and bobs your uncle.

I think he was expressing a view point than any considered research.

There isn't enough space on the south bank for anything other than a cantilevered deck, that might collapse during Dart+ West work.

If you read the report you will see what a visual monstrosity the south bank option is.

Well there is. You could easily put a path there. There already is one there.

You just can't put a super wide path there, or some monstrosity as they seem to want to.

There isn't space for both pedestrians and cyclists on that path. You can't even walk two abreast in parts.

Here ya go. Had a quick read and below is one gem floated to scupper the project. The Day of The Triffids meets Delwood😲

"Some submissions enquired as to what assessment has been performed on the invasive species (e.g. Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed) along the canal and the potential impact of disturbing these species may have on surrounding homes."

More generally its an insight into the treacle pace of infrastruture development in Ireland generally and the systemic over run in cost and duration when a mere cycle path requires this detail. It's not the Appian Way.

https://www.fingal.ie/sites/default/files/2022-08/RCUG%20Public%20Consultation%20Report%20July%202022.pdf

Looks like the greenway is getting closer and closer to Delwood/roselawn. I notice there's been a good bit of work on the Royal Canal "greenway" since I was last down near Leixlip. The surface is completed but fenced off as far as Confey. And further down toward the boat shed lots of the side vegetation and trees have been ripped out in preparation for the next phase.

I'm in favour of greenways generally. But when it comes to removing a beautiful natural trail like most of the towpath was, and destroying so much vegetation and mature trees, then on the whole I'm against it.

You can see the difference in the photos between what it used to look like in those sections, and what the newly laid tarmac and kerbstones looks like.

I say this as a someone who enjoys cycling, and appreciates a safer cycle route for kids. But something has definitely been lost in destroying the pre-existing grass/dirt/gravel trail , the trees etc.

(the Louisa-Congey section looks completed, but still fenced off in case some poor unfortunate trips over a sod of dirt and sues the council?)

From a runners/hikers perspective, a soft surface long-distance trail is now apparently gone forever.

I think u are falling for nostalgia. I was at this very section in Leixslip yesterday and beyond to Maynooth. For most of the year the pathway is unpassable for cyclists...or even squelching walkers. Change by way of the upgrade is needed to the entire Maynooth to city centre project. I too don't like old trees been ripped out unnecessarily but the entire project affords a chance to plant trees (e.g. poplars given they grow so fast and straight) and suitable hedging all the way to the Shannon. I've seen little by ways of plans to address enhancing flora and fauna for the entire project thus far..but it's early days. Waterways Ireland will probably say its not their brief. But it's easily done if there's a will. Coralling all the players e.g county councils, Waterways Ireland, Inland Fisheries, Irish Rail ..let alone nimbys...etc etc is the tricky part. Sadly that's always the way in Ireland.

Sounds like it was very exclusive for an elite few who had the ability to use it in winter. Surely anything making it more usable by everyone is better.

The north bank hasn't been touched in 50 years. It's completely returned to nature.

Unfortunately, that's what makes it so attractive for the planners to drive a bulldozer through.

Those photos are from Leixlip, not D15.