An Board Pleanána refuses planning permission for construction of Blueway along the River Barrow linking Kildare, Laois and Carlow

The decision yesterday by An Bord Pleanána to refuse permission for the construction of a Blueway along the River Barrow line traversing counties Kildare, Laois and Carlow is a 'disappointing one' according to Kildare County Council's Sustainable Transport Officer.

Declan Keogh, Sustainable Transport Officer including Greenways and Blueways, has said while the decision to refuse permission to Waterways Ireland is a disappointing one, the barrow line is still accessible and can be used for leisurely activities and amenities.

He said: ‘It’s not all dead in the water just yet.  There are still some positive outcomes from this, people can still use the barrow line and it may also offer some potential for local businesses such as Café’s, Boat Trip, fishing and angling clubs and also other transport modes such as walkers and cyclists.”

Mr Keogh said that he has sought a meeting between Waterways Ireland and relevant officials from Kildare, Laois and Carlow County Council’s following the refusal.

He is now seeking submission of a new application to An Board Pleanala for a Barrow Blueway in Kildare.

Mr Keogh said: "Carlow’s objections to the Blueway shouldn’t obstruct Kildare’s possibilities and we should work together to try and get the Blueway to be established along the barrow lines within county Kildare. Other waterside projects in Athy for example will still go-ahead such as the construction of a Greenway along the Canal from Lennons Bridge to Agustus’s Bridge and hopefully from the Barrow Quay to the Horse Bridge in Athy."