Change of plans as there will be no cycleway on Tullamore road due to new code

WORK on the Greenway at Convent View in Tullamore, is almost complete with just a railing along the bank of the canal left to be erected.

At the December meeting of Tullamore Municipal District, Councillor Declan Harvey said he was of the belief that a cyclway was part of the original plan for the route.

Responding Senior Executive Engineer with Offaly County Council, John Connelly said, ''The original Part 8 had a shared surface for pedestrians and cyclists but this was not considered compliant with a new cycle design code and so a second part 8 was completed with a footpath for pedestrians only and with cyclists using the carriageway. There was insufficient space for a segregated cycle lane and a two way street and parallel parking. The speed limit on this street will be dropping to 30kph,'' said Mr Connelly.

The works comprise of the construction of the Grand Canal Greenway urban section through Tullamore from Convent View to Cox’s Bridge and the 28th Lock to Sragh Bridge totalling 2.6kms.

The project is the final connecting piece of works to combine two elements of previous projects carried out by Offaly County Council - Tullamore Public Realm Enhancement scheme and the Offaly Grand Canal Greenway.

The works include widening of footpaths along the canal bank, undergrounding of cables and street enhancement, new paving and kerbs, road realignment, resurfacing and relining, traffic calming features, signage and lighting.