Greenway
The Galway to Athlone Cycleway will complete the circa 270km car-free corridor between Galway and Dublin for cyclists and walkers.The project is being led by the local authorities, Galway City Council and Galway, Roscommon and Westmeath County Councils.
About
Part of the Galway to Dublin Cycleway
The Department of Tourism, Transport and Sport is developing a National and Regional Greenways across Ireland to enhance tourism and contribute to rural development.
The new Galway to Athlone Cycleway is a large section of the Galway to Dublin Cycleway also known as The Capitals Route that will extend to 270km, making it Ireland’s longest Cycleway so far.
The Capitals Route reaches its westernmost point in the city of Galway. Currently under development, this route when completed, will be traffic free for all of its length.
A major section of the route between Maynooth and Athlone is complete and follows the Royal Canal Greenway and the Old Rail Trail for over 100km. Work is progressing on the Athlone to Galway section.
The Galway to Dublin Cycleway will be a world class amenity for pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchair users to enjoy – locals and tourists alike. It will even facilitate the first leg of the international EuroVelo network of long-distance cycling trails in Europe and will link Galway to Moscow!
Galway to Athlone
86 km
Galway to Dublin
270 km
Galway to Moscow
5000 km
Public Consultation
Something For Everyone!
The Galway to Athlone cycleway will complete the circa 270km car-free corridor between Galway and Dublin for cyclists and walkers. The project is being led by the local authorities, Galway City Council and Galway, Roscommon and Westmeath County Councils.
Consultants, RPS from Galway, were appointed in 2020 to start with a blank canvas to identify a project study area and constraints. This work is being informed by public consultation before the project team undertakes environmental studies and detailed design.
The first Public Consultations were held in August 2020. Five broad route corridors have since been developed.
Public Consultation No.2 will start on January 25th 2021 and run for 5 weeks until 1st March 2021
OBJECTIVES
The project aims to:
- Maximise the value of existing infrastructure and natural amenity
- Protect areas of environmental sensitivity through the design process and in future maintenance and management
- Develop a tourism experience that caters for a broad range of visitors
- Be designed to international best practice and in accordance with adopted standards
- Give regular access to visitor attractions and services along the corridor
- Be connected with public transport hubs
- Be in line with the Government’s five ‘S’ criteria – Scenic, Sustainable, Strategic, Segregated and lots to See and do, in conjunction with environmental, engineering and financial considerations.
“I am thrilled to see such progress on the Greenway which will be great asset for East Galway and would contribute to developing domestic and international tourism when we emerge from the pandemic as well as being a fantastic resource for local people. Well done RPS Consultants”
Minister of State, Anne Rabbitte
Join
Come on in to the virtual room
The design team at RPS Constultants led by project manager Cian McGuinness has opened a virtual public consultation where people can see the route corridors, maps and leave virtual comment cards.
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