Proposed Greenways

National Transport Authority – Cycle Network Plan

The National Transport Authority commissioned AECOM Roughan & O’Donovan (AECOM-ROD) to prepare a Cycle Network Plan, comprising the Urban Network, Inter-Urban Network and Green Route Networks for each of the seven Local Authorities within the Greater Dublin area, which includes Kildare County Council

The commission required the Cycle Network Plan to identify and determine in a consistent, clear and logical manner  the following cycle networks within the GDA;

• The Urban Cycle Network at the Primary, Secondary and Feeder level;
• The Inter-Urban Cycle Network linking the relevant sections of the Urban Network and including the elements of the National Cycle Network within the GDA. It shall also include linkages to key transport locations outside of urban areas such as airports and ports; and
• The Green Route Network being cycle routes developed predominately for tourist, recreational and leisure purposes

Focussing on the green route network the following Greenways have been identified in County Kildare

• K10 Grand Canal Greenway: Dublin - Sallins (Naas) - Edenderry.
• K11 Barrow Canal Greenway: from Grand Canal at Robertstown to Rathangan, Monasterevin, Athy and Carlow.
• K12 Pollardstown Feeder Greenway: from the Barrow Canal 3km west of Robertstown to near Pollardstown Fen northwest of Newbridge and then linking by regional and local roads to Newbridge and Kildare. (Pollardstown Fen is a highly environmentally sensitive site of considerable interest for a visit on foot as a side trip from this cycle route. A way across the fen for walkers and cyclists may be developed in future by NPWS. In the meantime the cycle route will skirt the fen on existing roads).
• K13 Naas Canal Greenway: From Grand Canal at Sallins through Naas to Herbertstown east of Newbridge and onward to Kilcullen.
• K17 Greenway along former Naas to Baltinglass railway line through Dunlavin, Co. Wicklow.

The above routes which are predominantly off-road Greenways have the potential to significantly enhance Tourism and Active Travel within Kildare both of which are Objectives of the Kildare County Development Plan

It is an objective (TM 01) of the Council to Support the NTA Draft Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (2022-2042) and facilitate and secure the implementation of projects identified within the Strategy.

In relation to the Greenways identified in the Cycle Network Plan I believe Kildare County Council should give serious consideration, as a CDP Objective, to the protection of the adjacent landscape and visual amenity of these proposed greenways such that they are not adversely impacted by large scale industrial developments which are not in character with the area.

In addition, consideration should be given to classifying the aforementioned Greenway Routes as Class 4 -Special Landscape Sensitivity Areas and afforded similar status as ‘Scenic Routes’ and ‘Scenic Views’