€8 million funding announced for Ferrybank-New Ross 24 km Greenway

Wexford County Council has welcomed last Friday’s announcement by Minister Shane Ross TD and Minister of State Brendan Griffin TD of the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport, of €8 million funding for the South East Greenway project.

The 24.3 km Greenway will be constructed along the disused railway line and passes through counties Waterford, Kilkenny and Wexford as it links Ferrybank, County Waterford to New Ross, Co Wexford.  Overall project costs are estimated at €13.3 million, with Waterford, Kilkenny and Wexford local authorities providing the balance of €5.3 million in matching funding.

This project has been advanced with the support of local partnership organisations and Kilkenny and Waterford local authorities.

The route links the town of New Ross to Waterford via Abbeylands and Ferrybank, crossing over the River Barrow and passing through the scenic countryside of South Kilkenny, offering an environmentally friendly transport option for commuters to New Ross and Waterford and providing a fantastic recreational amenity for visitors, local walkers and cyclists.

Welcoming the funding announcement, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Councillor Michael Sheehan described the Southeast Greenway as “transformational” for the whole area.

“This regional Greenway will provide a significant economic and jobs boost for South Kilkenny as well as the town of New Ross and Waterford City and I welcome the many opportunities that it will create along the route for new businesses in the areas of sports and recreation as well as hospitality and transport services” said Councillor Sheehan.

Chief Executive of Wexford County Council, Tom Enright, highlighted the intention to link the South East Greenway to the very successful Waterford Greenway via the proposed North Quays and Bilberry Link Projects which have also received funding under the National Greenway Strategy.

“These combined projects will result in a 72 km Greenway of regional significance spanning from New Ross to Dungarvan, creating a highly significant tourist attraction capable of attracting international visitors and transforming the economy of the entire region” said Mr Enright.  He added “The Southeast Greenway is also enhanced by a proposal to provide a River Taxi service between New Ross and Waterford which would complement the Greenway and provide users with a unique experience for their return journey”.

The project is currently at detailed design stage and will be followed by a tender process at the end of the year with construction due to commence in Spring 2020.  The South East Greenway is scheduled to open in Summer 2021.