*Bóthar Sioda. Photograph: Joe Buckley
WALKERS in Shannon will be able to avail of an extended footpath along one of the more popular loops in the town.
An extension of the footpath along Bóthar Sioda was sought by Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) before the March meeting of the Shannon Municipal District. The motion was seconded by Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND). The road is the access point to the grounds of St Senan’s RFC, Wolfe Tones camogie club and Shannon Olympic AFC, all of which are located in Tullyvarraga.
“This is a popular area for walkers and when the pitches are in use it can become quite congested. The footpaths can also be looped in and around the crematorium as this walk from Bóthar Sioda continues on as part of the Shannon Loop,” she stated.
Senior executive engineer in the Shannon MD, Tom Mellett confirmed that an application is being prepared for the location as part of the National Transport Authorities Active Travel Program. It is proposed to introduce a 2m wide footpath from the Crematorium to the Tullyvarraga Rd roundabout, he outlined.
Mellett explained, “On Bóthar Sioda this path would be on both sides of the road and increase to 4m, correcting an infrastructure deficit on the northern side of the carriageway. The aim is to have a 4m wide shared surface for cyclists and pedestrians creating a complete link along Shannon’s southern corridor from St Caimin’s to the Tullyvarraga Rd roundabout”.
Speaking at the Shannon MD meeting held at the Inn at Dromoland, Cllr McGettigan expressed her delight with the inclusion of the extended footpaths in the works. “A lot of people are using the area for walking during COVID,” she said. “Some people use it to walk from their homes to the crematorium and the Shannon Loop,” McGettigan added.
