Bord na Móna confirms retention of rail beds for Laois greenway

Bord na Móna has confirmed that the rail beds connecting the three bogs they own in Laois will now be retained for use as a greenway.

Calls had been made to repurpose the old train tracks on Bord na Móna's vast disused bogs stretching across into south Laois.

The old rail line from Togher to Clonkeen and Togher to Cashel is used as a walking route.

Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley said: “This is good news for the local community and will enhance the recreational and tourist amenities in the county.

"Both I and the other Sinn Féin representatives have been raising this with Bord na Móna for a considerable amount of time and the confirmation today is a step forward in the right direction.

 "I have raised this previously with the Minister for Tourism, Catherine Martin, through parliamentary questions, and we have used the opportunity in every meeting with Bord na Móna management, including with the CEO Ton Donnellan, to highlight this issue. A Greenway such as this in County Laois will be of huge benefit.“

 
Cllr. Caroline Dwane Stanley said “I have been lobbied heavily by constituents on this issue, who already use the old rail line from Togher to Clonkeen and Togher to Cashel as a walking route.

"This is a welcome development at a time when we are trying to increase levels of outdoor activity and use of outdoor spaces. I look forward to this project being developed further, with cooperation between Laois County Council and Bord na Móna.”