‘Gamechanger’ Boyne greenway route goes on public display

Plans for the Boyne Greenway from Navan to Oldbridge have gone on public display this week, with the emerging preferred route for the walking/cycling path, running largely along the south bank of the Boyne.

The proposed greenway, which will be developed alongside the proposed new blueway along the Boyne Navigation from Oldbridge to Navan has been hailed as a ‘gamechanger’ for tourism in the region.

It will link with the existing Drogheda to Oldbridge Greenway and in time will continue along the Boyne to Trim.

The current proposal is to create a safe, attractive and environmentally sympathetic canal and river side walking and cycling route between Andy Brennan Park in Navan and the main gates of Oldbridge Estate, Drogheda, running 26.5km in length.

The Boyne Greenway will be a flagship tourism scheme of regional, national and international significance which will provide access to the wealth and diversity of ecological, cultural, industrial and historical heritage within the Boyne Valley, including Bru na Boinne Visitors Centre, Oldbridge House and Slane Castle.

The public consultation presenting the emerging preferred route will run to the 29th January 2024 with submissions accepted up to 5pm on the 9th February.

Cllr Wayne Harding has said that the announcement of the preferred route will be a “game changer in tourism for the whole of the Boyne Valley.”

"The plan is to put a cycle and pedestrian greenway in place, but also to restore the Boyne Navigation System. Sections of the greenway are already used and some sections are more advanced in planning than others. The full length of the greenway would eventually be the exact same length as the Waterford Greenway which is turning out to be one of the top tourist destinations in the country.

“To connect Bettystown beach to Drogheda, Slane, Navan and Trim by foot, bikes and boats is an absolute no brainer at a time when we are looking for ways to combat the devastating ravages of climate change” he said.

“It has the potential to be the finest greenway in the country, these plans give Slane, Duleek and Donore the potential to become part of an extraordinary story that will be the Boyne Greenway."

Cllr Elaine McGinty welcomed the latest developments. "This project signifies a monumental step towards a vibrant and connected community. She said the consultation was a crucial opportunity for the community to actively shape the future of these projects.

The emerging preferred route would see a 6.5km pathway on the south bank of the river along the existing towpath from the Brennan Park to the Broadboyne Bridge.

Work would consist of upgrading the existing path to a new wider resurfaced path. The preferred route would then switch onto the north bank of the river at the Broadboyne Bridge and would extend along the historic towpath as far as Carrickdexter. A greenway bridge structure attached to the existing Broadboyne Bridge would be required to facilitate this. A 400m section of boardwalk immediately downstream of the Broadboyne Bridge is also likely to be required.

The route would then continue along the north bank for approximately 1km along a farm trail adjacent the riverbank and would cross the river again, due south of Slane Castle requiring a new 70m pedestrian and cycle bridge structure. The route would then progress for 1.6km on the south bank of the river initially along the historic towpath to Slane Castle Lock before rising to higher ground and progressing through a number of fields, set back from the edge of the floodplain before joining the existing local access lane in the vicinity of Slane Bridge.

The greenway would then extend exclusively along the southbank of the River Boyne, initially along the existing historic towpath from Slane Bridge towards Morgan’s Lock at Rosnaree. At this juncture the route would continue along the edge of the floodplain, following field boundaries on higher ground, where possible, for approximately 2km.

The proposed greenway route would then travel past Rosnaree onto and adjacent the Boyne Road on the field boundary side for 850m before diverting back onto the existing towpath adjacent the public carpark opposite Broe Lock.

The route would then follow the alignment along the existing towpath to the bridge at Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre and then again along the towpath past Staleen Lock and on towards OIdbridge Estate.

The towpath ends in vicinity of the Obelisk Bridge where the final 250m to the main gates at Oldbridge, currently navigated along the local roadway, would require the provision of a segregated route, potentially along a boardwalk, with a potential additional bridge crossing of the canal.

The route will allow access to Oldbridge Estate via its south west boundary, and it would be envisaged that appropriate bicycle parking facilities and ancillary features would be accommodated to allow users to park up whilst proceeding on foot to enter the Battle of the Boyne visitor centre at Oldbridge.