Works in Drumshanbo won't disrupt Tony McGowan Run in February, meeting told

The annual Tony McGowan run will not be disrupted by works Drumhauver Bridge, a Leitrim councillor was advised at a recent meeting in Ballinamore. 

Cllr Enda McGloin had requested details in relation to the timeline for the proposed works at Drumhauver Walkway, Drumshanbo, noting, "I know there is an annual Tony McGowan run there that is very successful and brings thousands to Ballinamore in February."

The official response said that the proposed underpass scheme for Drumhauver Bridge is currently at land negotiation stage and once this has been negotiated, Waterways Ireland will proceed to tender for consultancy services for the design and subsequent planning application.

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Members were promised that will "be no disruption at Drumhauver Bridge along the blueway for the 2026 run" and it is hoped to have a planning application ready for submission within three to four months of award of the consultancy services tender."

Cllr McGloin responded that this is "a long-awaited development here so I'm urging Leitrim County Council and Waterways Ireland to do whatever is possible to expedite negotiations on the land and get this moving. I think funding was allocated a good while ago so people are anxious to see a level of progress here."

Cllr Brendan Barry supported the motion and asked for more information regarding the timeline of the project. "It going out for tender for a consultancy firm and then a planning application will be three to four months. So it's six months before it goes for planning and with a part 8, it will be another month or two. It will be well into next year before there is even. 

Director of Services, David Menton, said that "realistically, six months would be optimistic."