By Dan Walsh
Mayor of Wexford Borough District Cllr John Hegarty led the sod turning ceremony to mark the commencement of construction of Phase One of the Newtown Road Cycle Scheme today (Tuesday) and the first stage of the Wexford Pathfinder project. Construction on the Newtown Road scheme will commence immediately and is expected to take nine months to complete.
The works will involve 1.3 kilometres of new protected cycle track either side of the road and new or upgraded footpaths along certain sections with some road resurfacing. Phase One of the project will cost €3 million.
Funding has been allocated by the National Transport Authority. Alan O’ Shea, Senior Executive Engineer with Wexford County Council’s Active Travel Team outlined how Phase One of the Newtown Road scheme will be followed immediately by phases two and three which will see the works extend as far as Wygram closer to the town centre.
Mr O’Shea outlined how the scheme will also ensure connectivity to the future Beechlawns/Clonard cycle scheme, also part of the Wexford ‘Pathfinder’, with works proposed to improve cycling and walking infrastructure to enhance connectivity to residential areas, schools and places of work across town. In addition, plans are being currently finalised for the third section of the Pathfinder project at Roxborough with proposals for an upgrade of cycling and walking infrastructure from Drinagh to The Faythe being developed.
This phase of the cycle scheme will see works to Newtown Road to improve safety for cyclists and walkers by developing protected cycle tracks and upgrading footpaths. The measures will also aim to reduce traffic speeds at this location to further enhance the environment designed to encourage people, where possible, to leave the car behind for short local journeys and actively travel.
Speaking at the ceremony today, Mayor Cllr Hegarty said; “It is only the start of a number of projects for Wexford town designed to improve our infrastructure to encourage more active travel and contribute towards reducing our carbon emissions”.
Speaking of the Project, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said; “I am delighted that construction has now commenced on Newtown Road Cycle Scheme, the first step of the Wexford Pathfinder project. I was in Wexford a few months ago, and I spoke to the councillors and local groups about the difference this project can make to people who want to come in and out of Wexford town without the headache of congestion.”
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