New bridge will link Nobber and Castletown greenway sections

The new pedestrian bridge over the N52 (pictured right) was installed last Thursday night, the last link in the Nobber to Castletown stretch of the Boyne Valley to Lakelands County Greenway.

Most of the work on the section linking Nobber and Castletown has been completed and the installation of the bridge over the N52 close to Cassidy's Cross was the final piece to link up the Nobber and Castletown sections.

Work was carried during last Thursday night into Friday morning to install the bridge and Cllr Eugene Cassidy who has been a driving force behind the greenway said it will take another two to three weeks to finish the works at the bridge, install the gate crossings and put down the finished surface on the greenway.

"It was brilliant to see Meath County Council installing the cycle/walking bridge over the N52. This is a major milestone on the journey of the Boyne Valley to Lakelands County Greenway. It connects two existing walking loops and turns them in to a 10km greenway," said Cllr Cassidy.

"This new stretch is beautiful and the impact it will create will be immense, an amenity that people can enjoy for years to come."

The original railway bridge near Castletown on the busy N52 Ardee to Kells Road, was damaged beyond repair when a truck crashed into it in 2011. The truck (above right) was carrying a digger and the impact caused the bridge to collapse onto the truck. Miraculously the driver avoided serious injury. It was not the first time that a lorry had struck the bridge and Cllr Cassidy outlined that the height of the new bridge has been raised by 2.1m.

Meanwhile, according to Cllr Cassidy, the contractor for the Nobber to Kingscourt section of the greenway is due to be selected this week. Then they are awaiting the green light for funding from Transport Infrastructure Ireland, which he said hopefully wouldn't take long. The section between Nobber and Kilmainhamwood, taking in the scenic Whitewood Lake will be finished first. The section between Castletown and Wilkinstown is due to go out to tender at the end of next week, while the section between Wilkinstown and Gibbstown is nearing completion. According to Cllr Cassidy Meath County Council is also looking at putting parking at the Gibbstown gates.

To date, two stretches of the greenway are open - in Nobber and Castletown - which form part of walking loops around both villages.