Councillors welcome new trail for Drumshanbo

Cllr Enda McGloin welcomed a proposal for a new trail planned for Drumshanbo saying it will "provide good healthy walks that connect with various pieces of infrastructure including the school, GAA park and various other places."

He was speaking after members were asked to consider the Chief Executive's Report on Part 8 Planning for the Drumshanbo Narrow Gauge Walking/Cycle Trail which will include a controlled pedestrian crossing on the Dowra Road and an uncontrolled crossing on Convent Avenue. 

The trail will link the Dowra road (R207) with Convent Avenue and onto the Ballinamore road (R208) and the route of the proposed trail will follow the line of the disused Cavan-Leitrim narrow gauge railway line where possible.

Liam Flynn, Leitrim County Council said it would be a length of one kilometre and 2.5 metres wide and that it would serve a number of Active Travel destinations such as St Patrick's National School and Allen Gaels GAA grounds.

He said that from a planning policy point of view "we are very much in favour it" and "it ticks a lot of boxes in terms of Active Travel and serves many residential areas" and "we think it will be a good addition to the Active Travel infrastructure in the town."

Cllr Brendan Barry seconded the proposal and welcomed "seeing the old railway opened up and linking the three roads there."

He suggested that, in the future, the council consider "a link road for getting heavy traffic out of the centre of the town" with Cllr Gerry Dolan supporting Cllr Barry's statement noting that he tabled a motion previously about this issue and said "hopefully something might be done in the near future."