Tipperary town to get major riverside greenway under plans revealed by local council

Major plans for a greenway along the Nenagh River were unveiled at the January meeting of Nenagh Municipal District.

The plan will see a four-metre wide track for walkers and cyclists stretching from Lisbunny on the Limerick road to Scott’s Bridge on the Borrisokane road.

Paddy Crowley of the council's environment section told councillors that the preliminary design work by Timoney Feehily was almost complete and it was hoped to lodge a planning application for the amenity this year.

The proposal was welcomed by councillors, with Cllr Seamus Morris describing it as “an important piece of infrastructure”.

However, he raised concerns over the need to cross the “dangerous and busy” road at Old Birr Road, and asked that if the sightlines at the bridge could be improved.

He was supported by Cllr Joe Hannigan who asked if a footpath could be incorporated into the design to allow pedestrian access to Rivervale Pitch and Putt course.

He also hoped that the greenway would eventually reach the lakeside village of Dromineer, which is served by the Slí Eala riverbank walk.

District Cathaoirleach Cllr Hughie McGrath also asked that the prospect of a footpath to the pitch and putt course be looked but pointed out that the brief was for a greenway and Mr Crowley would have to focus on that.

Cllr Morris said that staff at Rivervale Nursing Home had to walk along the narrow roadway at present to get to and from work.

The road was described as “blind and narrow” by Cllr Ger Darcy.

Cllr Michael O’Meara said that the council “should be proud of this”, as a huge amount of work had gone into it.

District manager Marcus O’Connor told councillors that the council was planning to take the walkway away from the bridge at Old Birr Road, but that was going to need negotiations with local landowners.