Tullamore's Greenway and transport upgrades on track for 2025

The urban greenway in Tullamore, is expected to be completed in May 2025.

At a meeting of Tullamore Municipal District, Senior Executive Engineer, John Connelly said, the base course and footpath is down at Convent View. ''We expect to move to the Kilbride side in early December. It's going according to schedule and an expected completion date is May 2025 for the whole scheme,'' he said.

Meanwhile, the first quarter of 2025 will see the completion of the Tanyard to High Street Link

Mr Connelly said there will be a report on the Church Street link at the December meeting and following that it should be ready to go to Part 8 consultation. This will link O'Connor Square with Market Square and incorporate a bridge which is hidden behind the library over the river.

In Tullamore €60,000 and €80,000, have been allocated under the Community Recognition Fund for the playgrounds at Kearney Park and Lloyd Town Park.

Iarnrod Eireann is currently reviewing plans for a pedestrian cycle bridge at Spollenstown Road. Mr Connelly said it's likely to be next year before that project will be ready to go through the Part 8 process.

Under the 'Active Travel' scheme, a new layout for Whitehall Bridge is finished and the council is consulting with Waterways Ireland. In addition traffic calming at Cox's Bridge has been approved.

Tender documents are in preparation for bus shelters in Clara. Two bus shelters at Tubber are also going out for tender. One submission welcoming the shelters was received during the public consultation period.

Cathaoirleach of Tullamore Municipal District, Councillor Frank Moran, asked if new applications could be made under the Community Recognition Fund for playgrounds. He said one group in Offaly was interested in setting up a playground.

Mr Connelly said there are deadlines for applications but added.'' that's not to say you couldn't do a new one.''

Councillor Declan Harvey, complimented the workers on the Greenway at Convent View.He asked when the footbridge would reopen for Mass goers.

Mr Connelly said a raised entry at the footbridge has to be completed. ''It will be next on the list, so it will be couple of weeks.'' As long as it's open for Christmas,'' said Cllr Harvey, ''It will be, I'm sure,'' responded Mr Connelly.

Cllr Harvey also thanked Mr Connelly for installing the bus shelters in Tullamore. He said they were ''serving the town very well. ''I think people are beginning to realise there are bus stops there now, they are not pulling in and parking there as much, though some are.'' he said.

Councillor Sean O'Brien asked about the possibility of bus shelters in Killeigh and at Clonminch. ''It's essential we get both of those,'' he said.

Cllr O'Brien also noted that work on the Greenway was moving to the Kilbride side in a couple of weeks and he asked if Clara Road or Kilbride Street will be affected during the Christmas shopping period. ''Small businesses are concerned,'' he added.

Responding, Mr Connelly said, ''we do have bus shelters for Killeigh and Clonminch on the list to be worked on. Work in Kilbride will be off street. I wouldn't expect any traffic problems at Kilbride Street or Clara road due to those works,'' he said.