Cycle track from Graigue to Carlow gets green light
A cycle path from Graiguecullen to Carlow has been approved
A 750-METRE cycle track connecting Graiguecullen to Carlow town centre has been proposed, with construction planned for later this year and a four-week public consultation scheduled for mid-May.
Carlow Municipal District heard at its April meeting that €400,000 in funding has been secured to cover the planning, design and initial construction phase, with the full project expected to be completed in 2027.
The proposed route will begin at the entrance to Barrowvale housing estate, past Oakley Park and continue along Church Street, past the rear entrance to St Fiacc’s NS, Aldi and the Croppies Grave before reaching Sleaty Street and crossing the river into Carlow town centre. As with recent cycle track projects in the town, a segregated footpath will run behind a two-way cycle lane.
The route originates in Co Laois and has been agreed with the National Transport Authority and Laois Co Council.
Mayor of Carlow cllr Paul Doogue welcomed the project but raised concerns about managing roadworks during high-traffic periods, pointing to the disruption caused by works on the Kilkenny Road.
“There is a real frustration out there if you begin the stop-start road systems for 9.30am,” he said. “Everybody is getting it in the neck – people are late for work, children are late for school.”
Cllr Fergal Browne struck a more optimistic note, pointing to the longer-term benefits of the town’s expanding cycling infrastructure.
“I see the benefit of the work and I can see now the route between the bus station, SETU and the college – you can see the benefits of that over time,” he said.
