As reported in the Leinster Express on Sep 20 2024
A quay wall on the Grand Canal in Laois is to get an €80,000 investment for strengthening works.
The money will go towards work on the quay wall in Vicarstown and Waterways Ireland is to prioritise weed cutting and maintenance along the Barrow Line in Laois.
Laois/Offaly TD and Cathaoirleach of the Public Accounts Committee, Deputy Brian Stanley, welcomed planned improvements and developments on the section of the Grand Canal in Laois.
“This public amenity has potential for greater public use and tourism. I have been in ongoing contact with Waterways Ireland. In particular, I have been requesting that the maintenance of this important waterway be improved with enhanced facilities on it,” he said.
He said Waterways Ireland have now committed to a programme of works and improvements.
Dep Stanley said €80,000 would be spent to repair and strengthen the quay wall in Vicarstown. Also, Waterways Ireland will be prioritising weed cutting and maintenance on the Barrow Line for the remainder of 2024.
According to Dep Stanley, the Monasterevin to Vicarstown to Athy section of the Grand Canal that runs through Laois will have several projects.
These include the development of the Barrow Blueway in partnership with the Local Authority with 45km of integrated walking, cycling and canoe trails in the county, plans to develop a Barrow Tourism masterplan with Failte Ireland later this year and a five-year maintenance plan.
The development of a programme of critical infrastructure and investment in the weirs, locks and embankments on the Barrow Line and Barrow River has also been promised.
“Finally, they have confirmed to me that they are supporting several tourism businesses to become established on the Barrow,” said Dep Stanley.
“I welcome the commitments from Waterways Ireland in Laois following my contacts with them. I will continue to make the case for further developments in our county, until we achieve the fulfilment of Laois’s true potential,” he concluded.