€4 million allocation for large-scale Kildare project welcomed

A €4 million allocation for the Grand Canal Greenway project has been welcomed by a Kildare county councillor.

Fine Gael Cllr Brendan Wyse expressed his optimism for the project at the latest Clane-Maynooth Municipal District meeting, which was held on Friday, April 4 last.

At the meeting, he motioned for Kildare County Council to provide "an updated detailed plan and timeline for the completion of the Grand Canal Greenway from Sallins through Robertstown, Allenwood, Killina and Ticknevin, to Edenderry, following the allocation of a €4m investment by the government".

KCC REPLY

In response to his motion, KCC presented a lengthy report to Cllr Wyse and the other local representatives: "[The] Grand Canal Greenway Ph2 - Sallins Tie-in will be issued for tender Late Q2, six-week tender return period with an intended construction start date in early Q4 2025.

"Waterways Ireland to deliver a section of the Grand Canal Greenway from Clonkeen through Ticknevin to Lowtown."

KCC continued: "This package is intended to proceed to construction in early to mid Q3 2025.

"The above contracts 1 and 2 will be delivered through the allocated funding.

"Contracts 3 and 4 (remainder of the works) will be issued for Tender from 2026 onward with more precise timelines at a later date depending on funding allocations and resources etc."

THREE REQUIREMENTS

KCC further said that the third and fourth contracts will require the completion of three main elements.

These elements are: additional environmental reports at Shee bridge for Mid Q3, 2025; the Part 8 advertisement of the additional pedestrian bridges at Lowtown and adjacent to Healys Bridge / Bonynge Bridge to be advertised late Q2 2025; and the completion of a junction safety improvement at Ticknevin junction which will the completion of a Section 38 Safety Improvement process.

Cllr Brendan Wyse. File photograph

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