Navan to Oldbridge Greenway route to be revealed in the coming months

Flood modelling along possible routes for the Boyne Greenway between Oldbridge and Navan is currently underway, as a preferred route option is expected to be identified in the coming months.

The proposed greenway which will run from Bettystown to Navan and later to Trim, will connect Meath’s many tourist attractions with a cycling and walking route and a water navigation system is also proposed.

Cllr Wayne Harding said the facility “has the potential to become one of the most important greenways in Ireland.

“It will draw tourists from all over the world.

“The Boyne Valley has one of the best concentrations of historic and heritage sites in the world, including Brú na Bóinne - a Unesco World Heritage Site, the Battle of the Boyne site the Hill of Slane and Slane Castle.

"There is ongoing progress with the Transport Infrastructure Ireland requesting flood modelling data along the river as we edge closer to the announcement of a preferred route. “The council's transport department is compiling this specific modelling to assist with the route selection.

“It will allow for parts of the greenway to be raised to avoid flooding and for flood proof surfaces.

“Sections of the greenway are already in use – from Oldbridge to Drogheda, and some sections are more advanced in planning than others.

“The full length of the greenway would almost be the exact same length as the Waterford Greenway which is turning out to be one of the top tourist destinations in the country.”

Atkins Consulting Engineers are designing a route for the greenway and the restoration of the Boyne Navigation between Old bridge and Navan.

This would extend from the Cllr Andy Brennan Park in Navan to the main gates at the Oldbridge Estate, where it will link with the existing greenway facilities which provide a route onward to Drogheda.

This particular stretch of the Boyne Greenway is approximately 26.5km in length. It will also link with the Athlumney to Trim Road Cycle and Pedestrian Scheme.

The Boyne Navigation will extend from the canal harbour in Navan Town to the Oldbridge Guard Lock.

Meanwhile, the section of the greenway between Drogheda and Mornington is progressing through the planning stage.

“The tourism potential is enormous. Walking and cycling tourism is growing enormously in popularity internationally. It also means that tourists stay within the county for up to a week as opposed to arriving as part of a one-day coach tour,” said Cllr Harding.

“The Boyne Valley is a treasure chest of beauty which would be incredible to explore by cycle, on foot or by boat.

Ultimately it is planned that the Greenway will to proceed on to Trim and then to the source of the Boyne in north Kildare, intersecting with the Royal Canal Greenway. It would also link in with the Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway along the route of the old Navan to Kingscourt Rail line,

The proposed section of the Boyne Greenway between Drogheda and Mornington will consist of a pedestrian and cycleway which will commence at the junction of Tower Road and Crook Road in Mornington in County Meath and continue to Ship Street in Drogheda.

The greenway will be built alongside the existing regional road but in places it will veer away from the road to take advantage of the views across the Boyne estuary and also for road safety reasons.