Slipway still ‘on the agenda’ for Longford water access

The delivery of a slipway for river users in Ballymahon is being “kept on the agenda” by Cllr Pat O'Toole.

The matter was raised at a recent local authority meeting when Waterways Ireland (WI) officials briefed councillors on a number of pertinent local matters.

Cllr O'Toole asked the representatives why the slipways were not included as part of the works undertaken at the Red Bridge. The Red Bridge marks the end point of navigation on the River Inny under WI jurisdiction.

When the eight berth jetty at the Red Bridge was constructed a little over two years ago there was an expectation that a slipway for smaller boats would be provided.

Cllr O'Toole explained the necessity of the marine infrastructure: “We have quite a few people around Ballymahon who have small fishing crafts. They're are also a lot of Kayaking enthusiasts. This would be an avenue for them to access the water in the environs of Ballymahon town.”

Cllr O'Toole raised the issue with senior staff in the State body at the end of last month: “I put it to Waterways Ireland that when the eight berth jetty was being developed there was an understanding there would be a slipway at the time. When Brian Treacy, Waterways Ireland's North Shannon Senior Engineer, recently addressed the council I raised it again to get it back on the agenda.”

The Ballymahon councillor is hopeful that there will be movement on the slipway: “Hopefully in 2024 it will be looked at again. There is lots of space, there's a grand carpark.

“At present anyone in the Tang, Forgney, Ballymahon area who wants to go fishing has to go to Barley Harbour. It is lovely down there, but the roads can get congested, so it would be a great benefit to the area to have a slip way there,” he said.

Cllr O'Toole believes that there will soon be a solution: “They did acknowledge it should have happened when the work was being done on the jetty. Their reaction was reasonably favourable, I intend to follow up on it.”