WORKS to link Tuamgraney with an existing 12km walking trail from Killaloe to Ogonnelloe are to commence next year
Under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS), the Killaloe Municipal District successfully obtained €191,700 in funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development.
This will link the village of Tuamgraney with the existing 12km walking trail which begins in Killaloe.
Acting senior executive engineer in the Killaloe MD, Declan Flanagan confirmed that a detailed site survey will be undertaken “later this year along with consultation landowners, key stakeholders and local community groups”.
He outlined, “regard will also be given to other proposed projects in the area”. A part VIII planning application may be required for the new section of the walking trail, Flanagan advised. He confirmed that works are due to commence next year.
Queries had been raised on the walking trail by Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) at a sitting of the Killaloe MD. “I’m a small bit disappointed that it has been kicked down the road, almost €200,000 is to be spent but I’m sure it has to be spent within a certain date. We want to see the final part of it completed sooner rather than later. Why is it pushed into 2025? Were those reasons not flagged before”.
Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) commented, “The delay again is the one that frustrates us to the level that people don’t understand”.
Responding to the elected members, Flanagan stated, “There was no engagement with the landowner so we had to approach them, if we started tomorrow morning it would be year-end by the time Part VIII is approved, then we have procurement which would be early to mid 2025 by the earliest timescale, the funding is nearly a two year timeframe, it is about the engagement, the planning and procurement, we’re not kicking the can down the road, it is the process we have to follow”.
Concluding the discussion, Cllr Cooney said, “it is a project people have been looking to be completed for the last couple of years, it is a vital link into the village”.
