Maynooth–Leixlip Royal Canal Greenway Section Officially Opened by Minister O’Brien

Minister for Transport, Darragh O Brien and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless in the presence of the Cathaoirleach of the County of Kildare, Councillor Carmel Kelly for the official opening of the Royal Canal Greenway, Maynooth to Leixlip.  The official opening marks the completion of 7.75 km section of the Royal Canal Greenway, extending from Maynooth Harbour to Confey/Cope Bridge, Leixlip.

This project is a result of a collaborative effort between Kildare County Council, the National Transport Authority and Waterways Ireland and is funded by the National Transport Authority under the Active Travel Investment Grants.  The detailed design and construction oversight of the Royal Canal Greenway were undertaken by AtkinsRéalis and the main construction works were undertaken by Glas Civil Engineering Ltd.

This section of the Royal Canal Greenway, Maynooth to Leixlip is one of a number of active travel initiatives being progressed by Kildare County Council.  The scheme includes the provision of a new bound and unbound surface greenway, a segregated cycle track adjacent to a section of the R148 regional road and associated amenities along the greenway.

Speaking at the official opening, Minster Darragh O’Brien said; 

“I am delighted to be here today at the launch of the Maynooth to Leixlip section of the Royal Canal Greenway. The Active Travel team within Kildare County Council alongside the National Transport Authority are making fantastic progress in providing high-quality walking and cycling infrastructure around the county. This section is a critical piece of that infrastructure as it completes a 120km stretch of Greenway from Leixlip right over to Cloondara, Co. Longford alongside the Royal Canal. Another section of this Greenway was opened in Dublin City last week, and I look forward to seeing the full project completed in the coming years.

It is important that we create a comprehensive network of walking and cycling facilities in order to encourage active travel for the majority of short to medium-length journeys, and the provision of necessary linkages with existing infrastructure will help the Royal Canal Greenway form part of this network going forward.”