Minister Ryan approves funding for Grand Canal Greenway extension

The Grand Canal Greenway will be extended from the 12th Lock to Hazelhatch Bridge after the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan T.D. allocated an additional €1.4m to South Dublin County Council for the completion of the works by 2022.

The funding forms part of the Department of Transport’s Greenway Programme worth €63.5 million, the highest single year amount ever allocated to this type of infrastructure.

Minister Ryan said: “I am delighted to allocate €1.4m towards the extension of the Grand Canal Greenway from the 12th Lock to Hazel Hatch Bridge. This key 4 km section will provide safe segregated access to people working in Grange Castle Business Park as well as those living in Hazelhatch, Celbridge and the surrounding areas. This project is a great example of the role that Greenways are playing in providing safe and enjoyable access to schools and workplaces as well as opportunities for leisure and tourism. This work will be completed in 2022 and will enable people to walk and cycle from Inchicore to Hazel Hatch Bridge, and later in 2023 as far as Sallins in County Kildare.

Additional funding has already been provided to Offaly County Council in 2020 to extend the Grand Canal Greenway from Daingean to Edenderry. By the end of 2023 we will have nearly 70 kilometres of Greenway completed alongside the canal in South Dublin, Kildare and Offaly.

Funding is also in place to develop a future route between the Grand and Royal Canals which South Dublin and Fingal County Councils are working to progress over the coming years”.

This project will be co-funded by South Dublin County Council (€2.1m in total).