Update given on bridge underpasses for canal walkway

Cllr Brendan Barry requested an update on the progress made to install an underpass for the canal walkways at Drumhauver Bridge, Drumshanbo and Aghoo Bridge, Ballinamore and when construction is likely to commence.
A report by Roads said that Leitrim County Council in partnership with Waterways Ireland have discussed the issue and have got landowner agreement in principle.
The response at last Monday's meeting of the Ballinamore Municipal District continued that in terms of Aghoo Bridge, funding has been secured.
“Waterways Ireland have preliminary designs carried out. Leitrim County Council applied for funding through the Blue Way grant system but were unsuccessful. We now need to converse with Waterways Ireland and advise them to apply through their funding system options.”
District engineer, Darragh O'Boyle said that “that is an underpass at Aghoo Bridge so the road will be closed for a few weeks and we'll put up diversion signs. It's a bit away yet.”
He said the connector footpath that connects the Blueway out towards Aghoo East, is also under construction.
He said that in terms of Drumhauver Bridge, the Capital Office in Leitrim County Council had intended to apply for funding and have an underpass at that section to avoid crossing the R280. Leitrim County Council got funding for completion of additional areas of the Blueway but not the underpass, he explained.
He continued: “That said, we will go back to Waterways Ireland and they will apply for grants through their system. It's ongoing but there have been some hurdles and it's desperately needed.”
Cllr Enda McGloin supported the motion.
Cllr Paddy O'Rourke asked if the footpath from the town was to be extended with Mr O'Boyle saying that Active Travel won't carry out the works as “they don't like putting footpaths outside speed limits.”
Mr O'Boyle said the works could possibly be carried out under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS).
Cllr O'Rourke noted that there are “a cluster of houses there and they've been there since 1933” and “have no footpath and no lighting.”