This section of a Kildare canal won't be reopening anytime soon

A section of the Grand Canal at Corbally, Naas, is not likely to be reopened soon.

Naas Mayor Seamie Moore wants a study undertaken to assess the cost and scale of works required to reopen the 8.5 kms section.

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He said 30 boats visited Naas recently in an event organised by the Kildare branch of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland - but they couldn't access Corbally beyond the Jigginstown Road culvert.

He said the area could be developed to meet the interests of “boating and water sports enthusiasts for the future 50,000 population of Naas and an area catchment of 125,000 (people).”

Kildare County Council said it sees “the great value” of a study to facilitate the reopening of the Corbally link, pointing to secondary benefits such as tourism, town centre regeneration, canal activation, sport and recreation, and sustainable mobility. 

But a feasibility study for the bridge - which is needed to span the Naas to Newbridge road - is not yet funded.

KCC nevertheless said it will work with Waterways Ireland to explore whether a joint feasibility study “can be progressed to use as a basis for future bids for Waterways Ireland/national funding.”

KCC official Mark McLoughlin told a Naas Municipal District committee meeting that this “is a considerable scheme” which will take some time and is not currently on a list of works.