Barrow Way: This is the scene along the first stretch of the Barrow Way to get a harder surface intended to be suitable for cyclists. The video shows the state of disrepair already.
A dispute has raged for more than a year now over plans to put a harder surface onto the Barrow towpath to make it more suitable for cycling and walking.
However, if the condition of this one stretch is anything to go by, the plan is not without its risk.
The clip below was recorded by Turlough O’Brien on the Barrow tow path near St Mullins.
A harder, semi permanent, track was laid in the area for over a mile the year before last. And as this video shows it is in atrocious condition already.
O’Brien told stickybottle he was not claiming that the surface used for this short stretch of work near St Mullins was the same as that planned for the much bigger blueway scheme along the length of the Barrow tow path.
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However, he said many people opposed to putting a harder surface on the full length of the Barrow tow path were objecting to it because of fears of flooding.
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The canal and river bank along which the Barrow tow path runs is tidal for a long stretch and it floods several times of year.
And O’Brien said people were fearful when flooding occurred it would destroy the proposed new surface along the full length of the Barrow tow path.
The Barrow proposal involves putting an unbound hard core surface rolled in crushed limestone onto the existing towpath; a track in the grass made by walkers.
The Barrow Way runs about 115km from Lowtown in Co Kildare to St Mullins in neighbouring Co Carlow. It winds its way along river and canal paths.
In its current grass track form the Barrow tow path is very popular with walkers.
However, Waterways Ireland wants to put the harder surface down to make the track more permanent and so, it says, better for walking and cycling.
Those opposed to the plan say it will destroy the natural beauty of the area.
- Turlough O'Brien is the author of Cycling South Leinster
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