Project Progress
Current Phase (Highlighted Blue):
Phase 0- Scope and Pre-Appraisal
Phase 1- Concept and Feasibility
Phase 2- Options Selection
Phase 3- Design and Environmental Evaluation
Phase 4- Statutory Processes
Phase 5- Enabling and Procurement
Phase 6- Construction and Implementation
Phase 7- Close out and Review
Latest Updates
News
News Update from The Project Manager
"idea is absolutely fantastic – Keep up the good work”
Mid-Year Update 2024
As we enter August 2024, significant progress has been made on the Carrick-on-Shannon to Battlebridge
Blueway project. The first half of the year has seen the successful completion of several critical tasks,
with notable achievements outlined below:
1. Site Investigation (SI) Works
A major milestone has been the completion of Site Investigation (SI) works, which included:
• Cable Percussion Boreholes:
Drilled to obtain soil and rock samples, providing essential data for assessing ground conditions.
• Rotary Core Boreholes: Advanced drilling techniques were employed to retrieve continuous core
samples for detailed geological analysis.
• Cone Penetration Testing (CPT): This method provided in-situ soil data, aiding in the
determination of soil stratigraphy and geotechnical properties.
Image: The photo above shows the CPT equipment and crew in action in July 2024, capturing the team as they gather critical data for geotechnical assessments.
The site investigation works were conducted after an exceptionally wet winter,
which kept the River Shannon's water levels unusually high until late April.
The timely completion of these investigations is crucial for confirming accurate data
collection for the project.
2. Topographical Surveys
Topographical surveys were completed, focusing on proposed access roads and properties within
the project area.
3. Detailed Design and Environmental Impact Assessment
The detailed design phase has progressed to an advanced stage, with substantial
progress made in refining project plans. Concurrently, the Environmental Impact
Assessment Report (EIAR) is advancing well. The team is on track to submit a
planning application to An Bord Pleanála in Q4 of 2024, a critical step for
securing the necessary approvals.
4. Engagement with Landowners and Community
In the spirit of openness, meetings with affected landowners have continued,
keeping them informed about the project's progress and potential impacts on their
properties. These discussions have been constructive, addressing accommodation works
and any required adjustments or support. Looking ahead to 2024, additional meetings
are planned to finalise the proposed land acquisition process, considering the input
of affected landowners.
5. Upcoming Underwater Archaeological Survey
An underwater archaeological survey is set to begin in early August. This survey
will aim to identify and assess potential archaeological remains or artifacts within
the project area, ensuring that the development respects and preserves the region's
cultural heritage.
In summary, 2024 has been a year of steady progress for the Carrick-on-Shannon to
Battlebridge Blueway project. Despite the challenges posed by adverse weather conditions,
the team's dedication and community engagement have laid the foundation for a project
that enhances the region while respecting its natural surroundings. As we move into the
second half of the year, the project team's primary focus will be on submitting the
planning application to An Bord Pleanála in Q4 of 2024. This submission will be a
crucial first step in securing the necessary approvals and bringing the Blueway vision
to life for the benefit of the local community.
Geotechnical Investigations
Land based geotechnical investigations which took place on the 08th and 09th of November 2023
at St. Marys GAA training pitch in Carrick on Shannon. The geotechnical investigations which
took place were Cable Percussive Boreholes with Rotary Core follow on. The results of these
geotechnical investigations will determine the existing underlying ground conditions.
End-of-Year Update (2023): Steady Progress Amid Challenges for Carrick-on-Shannon to Battlebridge Blueway
As we conclude 2023, the Carrick-on-Shannon to Battlebridge Blueway project has achieved steady progress,
demonstrating resilience and determination in the face of challenges.
The detailed design of the preferred route has advanced well, thanks to the focused efforts of the project's design team. Several
workshops have been conducted to refine the design, ensuring its alignment with the project vision.
Environmental assessments have been a top priority, marked by the successful completion of the
Appropriate Assessment Screening and Environmental Impact Assessment Screening.
These achievements underscore the project's commitment to preserving the local environment.
However, it is essential to note that adverse weather conditions in 2023, leading to elevated water levels in the River Shannon,
disrupted several key site-dependent investigations and surveys. This disruption affected geotechnical investigations,
topographical surveys, and pre-development archaeological testing, consequently delaying our initial goal of lodging a
planning application for the Carrick to Battlebridge Blueway early in 2024.
Despite these challenges, the project team has shown resilience. The process of scoping the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR)
has commenced with An Board Pleanala (ABP). This step ensures a comprehensive evaluation of potential environmental impacts,
allowing for informed decision-making and a commitment to sustainable development practices.
In a spirit of openness, meetings have been held with affected landowners to discuss the preferred route. These discussions have been constructive,
addressing concerns collaboratively. Looking ahead to 2024, additional meetings are planned to finalize the proposed land
acquisition process, taking into consideration the input of affected landowners.
In summary, 2023 has marked a year of measured progress and resilience for the Carrick-on-Shannon to Battlebridge Blueway project.
The team's dedication, coupled with community engagement, establishes a solid foundation for a project that enhances the region
while respecting its natural surroundings. As we enter the new year, the project remains committed to transparency, collaboration,
and responsible development, with the aim of bringing the Blueway vision to life for the benefit of the local community.
Mid-Year Review: Progress Continues for Carrick-on-Shannon to Battlebridge Blueway Project
As we enter August 2023, we are delighted to share the latest update on the Carrick-on-Shannon to Battlebridge Blueway project. Over the course of the year,
significant strides have been made, bringing us closer to the realisation of this transformative Blueway.
Looking back at our previous update in January, we are proud to report that our progress has been significant. Having successfully moved into Phase 3,
the Design & Environmental Evaluation stage, the project has entered a critical phase of development. The Project Team has been hard at work,
and we are pleased to announce that the detailed design of the preferred route has made substantial progress. T
his preferred route was carefully selected after thorough evaluation and was showcased at the Open Day in August last year,
receiving overwhelming support from the public.
In line with our commitment to environmental responsibility, comprehensive environmental baseline studies for the preferred
route have been substantially completed. These studies are vital in ensuring that the Blueway aligns harmoniously with the
natural surroundings and protects the local ecosystem.
Throughout this journey, community engagement and stakeholder input have remained central to our approach. We have conducted
various consultation meetings with project stakeholders and landowners, valuing their perspectives and insights.
The positive response from the community has been heartening, with many expressing excitement and anticipation for the
completion of this project.
Building on this momentum, site investigations commenced in February along the preferred route. These over-the-water and
on-the-ground assessments will provide essential data to inform the final design so that the Blueway is thoughtfully integrated
into the landscape.
As we continue our efforts, we look ahead to the rest of 2023 with enthusiasm. Our goal is to have the detailed design and
environmental reporting sufficiently complete, allowing us to progress towards lodgement of a planning application for the
Carrick to Battlebridge Blueway early in 2024. This application will mark a significant milestone in our journey to bring
this exciting vision to life.
We express our gratitude to the public, stakeholders, and everyone involved in supporting the Carrick-on-Shannon to
Battlebridge Blueway project. Together, we are creating a recreational haven that will not only enhance the local community
but also attract visitors from near and far. As we move forward, we remain committed to delivering a project with your
continued support and engagement that will be a source of pride for the local community for generations to come.
Geotechnical investigations for the proposed Carrick-on-Shannon to Battlebridge Blueway
Geotechnical investigations for the proposed Carrick-on-Shannon to Battlebridge Blueway commenced on the 27th of February 2023.
The first phase provides for geotechnical investigation over water and involves four Cable Percussive boreholes
with rotary core follow-on within the River Shannon. The photograph shows the floating pontoon with the associated
geotechnical drilling rigs, jacked in position at Corryolus. This work over water is now substantially complete.
The land based geotechnical investigations, phase two, involves Cable Percussive Boreholes, Rotary Cores, Cone Penetration Testing and Geophysics
along the 10km stretch of the proposed Blueway from Carrick-on-Shannon to Battlebridge. The land based geotechnical investigations will
begin on 27th of March 2023.
The purpose of these geotechnical investigations is to determine the existing underlying ground conditions along the proposed route.
More Progress in 2022 on the Carrick Blueway
Conor McCarthy, Director of Jennings O’Donovan and Project Manager for the Carrick to Battlebridge Blueway Project
As 2022 draws to a close, the Project Team can reflect back over another positive year
on the journey in the development of the Carrick-on-Shannon to Battlebridge Blueway.
More progress has been made across the year on the various phases of work and
community engagement that are required to ultimately achieve planning consent for
this exciting project which when completed will be transformational for the county
and indeed for the wider region.
At the end of 2021, there were seven alternative routes under consideration,
and which had been presented for public consultation. During the first Quarter of 2022,
these were reduced to three alternative routes, each of which was subjected to more
detailed evaluation under broad headings of environment, engineering, economy and
social integration. All of this work was leading towards arriving at an emerging
preferred route.
This route was then presented at an Open Day in the Bush Hotel in August as part of the third public
consultation phase for the project. An aerial survey helped to show the emerging preferred route
as it winded along the banks of the River Shannon from Carrick under the bridge at Hartley to the
canal at Leitrim Village, returning from the village to the Shannon and continuing along to
Battlebridge to complete the journey of some ten kilometres and arrive at the existing Blueway
from Battlebridge to Drumshanbo.
The response of the public has been overwhelmingly positive with people “very excited” about
“this wonderful project”, “looking forward to walking it” and saying that “it cannot happen soon enough”.
These comments are of great support to the Project Team as they develop the design and continue with
stakeholder engagement which over the year included not only members of the public but also the
National Parks and Wildlife Service; Inland Fisheries Ireland; LAWPRO; potentially affected landowners
and elected representatives of the Carrick Municipal District.
The Team now moves forward to the detailed design and the preferred route option, the completion of birds,
habitat, aquatic and archaeological surveys and preparation of accompanying environmental reports.
Site investigation work will start on the ground and a more detailed topographical survey to inform the
final design will be undertaken.
We look forward to 2023 being another progressive year and to having detailed design and environmental reporting
sufficiently complete to enable a planning application for the Carrick to Battlebridge Blueway to be lodged.
November 2022
We are delighted to announce the successful completion on Wednesday August 19, 2022 of the
third public consultation for the Carrick-on-Shannon to Battlebridge Project. We would like to thank all those
members of the public who attended the Open Day in the Bush Hotel on Thursday August 04, 2022 and for sharing
their thoughts on the emerging preferred route. We would also like to thank everyone who returned the questionnaire
either on-line, by post or indeed in person at the Bush Hotel on the Open Day. All your comments and opinions are
important and of interest to the Project Team. Your views will be considered by the Team as we move on to the next
stage of the project, consideration of the final route option for the proposed Blueway within the Emerging Preferred
Route Corridor.
Open Day in the Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon August 04, 2022
Members of the Project Team at the Public Consultation No. 3 Open Day in the Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon on August 04, 2022
March 2022
We are coming to the end of the first quarter of 2022, and as we near the end of March we all
start to think of longer, warmer evenings with opportunities to be outdoors walking and taking exercise. Now is a good
time to give you a brief update on the continuing progress with the planning phases of the Carrick-on-Shannon to
Battlebridge Blueway.
The first three months of the year have been a busy time for the Project Team. Following on from
the Open Day in the Bush Hotel in November, the Report on the Second Public Consultation was completed
earlier this month.
The purpose of the Second Public Consultation was to examine and receive feedback on the seven route options developed,
and to assist in a process of identifying a Preferred Route Option. Respondents were also invited to give any other
information they would like the Project Team to consider. Documentation including a Feedback Form was distributed
to 2,364 residential and 926 commercial addresses in the Study Area. 123 responses were received. The main category of
the responses received was from residential property owner category, with 95 responses. The majority of the 123 responses
received were supportive of the proposed Blueway with a total of 103 saying they would use it. Many of the respondents
included very positive comments on the proposed Blueway in their feedback forms. Some of these comments are highlighted on
the website. We have combined two of the comments for the title of this news update “Blueway idea is fantastic – Keep up
the good work”.
The Project Team is currently working on the Route Options Report which will reduce the number of route options from
seven to three. The project will progress to Public Consultation No. 3, now likely to be in May, and which will be on the
Preferred Route Option.
Some Comments Received
“Blueway is a wonderful project and would be a huge asset to our town”.
“Love the safeway the Blueways give us to walk, free of hassle”.
“Looking forward to this”.
“I am delighted to learn of this new development”.
“Congratulations on this wonderful project”.
“Wonderful idea and will be a great tourist attraction”.
“Game changer with major economic and social benefits”.
“Region has been greatly enhanced by the Blueway from Battlebridge to Drumshambo and the walk from Leitrim to Kilclare”.
“The Blueway will be a major tourist benefit to the residents of this area and a major tourism attraction also. Well done!”.
“Keep up the good work”.
“Blueway idea is absolutely fantastic”.
“Great facility to drive business and tourism locally”.
“We are delighted to see the Blueway proposal”.
“Very much in favour of this exciting project”.
“Once in a lifetime project to showcase what can be done to promote tourism in Leitrim”.
A Positive 2021 for the Carrick Blueway
As we approach the end of the year, we can reflect back on a positive start on the journey in the development of the proposed Carrick-on-Shannon to Battlebridge Blueway.
Much as been achieved since work on the planning phases started in March of this year.
Phase 1 of the Planning Stage, Concept and Feasibility was completed on programme within three months of project start.
The Study Area was determined, this project website launched and following a comprehensive stakeholder engagement and successful
public consultation, seven alternative routes were selected for further evaluation. These routes were presented to the public
at an Open Day in the Bush Hotel in November which was part of the second public consultation phase. It was great to meet
with members of the public on the day and to hear their views on the various options. Important “nuggets” of really beneficial
information was gleaned from residents and landowners along the routes and the Project Team is very grateful for the
openness with which this information was shared.
A high-level topographical survey of the Study Area was undertaken by drone.
The degree of technology available through drone surveys is amazing and with the added
bonus of being able to provide extensive aerial photography of the overall Study Area.
Looking forward to 2022, the Project Team is actively working on a Route Options Report which will reduce the number of route
options from seven to three. Following another round of stakeholder engagement, the project will progress to Public
Consultation No. 3, likely to be in March, and which will be on the Preferred Route Option.
We look forward with confidence to another successful year for the Carrick to Battlebridge Blueway in 2022 and to
having a preferred route to proceed to more detailed design and environmental evaluation.
Conor McCarthy, Director of Jennings O’Donovan and Project Manager for the Carrick to Battlebridge Blueway Project
Completion of Public Consultation No. 2
We are delighted to announce the successful completion on Wednesday
November 24, 2021 of the second public consultation for the
Carrick-on-Shannon to Battlebridge Project. This represents a most
important milestone in the overall progression of the planning phase
for the proposed Blueway. We would like to thank all those members
of the public who attended the Open Day in the Bush Hotel
and for sharing their thoughts on the various route options.
We would also like to thank everyone who returned the questionnaire
either on-line, by post or indeed in person at the Bush Hotel on
the Open Day. All your comments and opinions are important and of
interest to the Project Team. Your views will be considered by the
Team as we move on to the next phase, the preparation of an Options
Selection Report leading to an emerging preferred route for the Blueway.
Thank you all again and we look forward to engaging with
you all again at the next public consultation when we will
be presenting the proposed preferred route.
November 2021:
Jennings O'Donovan Project Team photographed at the Public Consultation No.2 Open Day for the Carrick-on-Shannon to
Battlebridge Blueway at the Bush Hotel on Thursday, November 11, 2021
October 2021:
The second non-statutory public consultation will take place from 2pm on Wednesday 27th October 2021
to 5pm Wednesday 24th November 2021. The purpose of this consultation is to examine and receive feedback on the route options
developed, and to assist in the process of identifying a Preferred Route Option
September 2021:
PUBLIC CONSULTATION - Views on the need for the Blueway project were invited from the public,
stakeholders and other interested parties. A tremendous response was received with almost 100 submissions.
An overwhelming majority of the public expressed the need for the Blueway, many referencing the benefit for tourism in Leitrim.
The clear expectation of the public is that the Blueway route be along or near the River Shannon.
Leitrim County Council believes the outcome of this first public consultation to be extremely positive for the Blueway project.
Further information on the public consultation is available through the
following link
Positive Responses Received During Consultation No.1
“The proposed blueway will be a great amenity to the area”
“…will help promote Leitrim as a tourist destination…”
“…will make Leitrim Village an attractive place to live, works, do business and visit..”
Publications
The following publications are available to download:
• Public Consultation No.1- Leaflet
• Public Consultation No.1- Feedback Form
• Public Consultation No.1- Study Area Map
• Public Consultation No.1- Feedback Summary
• Public Consultation No.1- Report
Read More About It
Proposal & Objectives
