AtkinsRéalis has been appointed as design consultant for the Athlone and Mullingar active travel schemes, by Westmeath County Council.
Funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority’s Active Travel Programme, the scheme will provide for enhanced pedestrian and cycling facilities along several parts of the existing road network in both towns.
The new scheme and enhanced facilities will enable school children, commuters and visitors to travel safely and sustainably to school and work, as well as leisure and retail destinations.
Sections of the schemes will also provide people with the opportunity to link to existing greenways that are safe, scenic, and carbon-free.
Ursula O’Higgins is Technical Director, for AtkinsRéalis Ireland which is providing multidisciplinary services including concept design, preliminary design, and statutory processes.
She said: “Active travel schemes connect communities in a safe, convenient, and environmentally sustainable way. We’re pleased to support Westmeath County Council with the design of these exciting schemes.
“Our appointment builds on our existing work with local authorities across the country, the National Transport Authority and Transport infrastructure Ireland, on the delivery of approximately 150km of urban active travel routes and 200km of interurban greenways in Ireland.”
Underpinned by the aims and objectives set out in the Government’s Climate Action Plan 2023, the schemes will increase the number of walking and cycling routes in Westmeath, and provide communities with safe, enjoyable, and environmentally friendly active travel options.
The Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, Councillor Liam McDaniel, welcomed the signing of the contract.
He said: “This demonstrates Westmeath County Council’s ongoing commitment to the development of Active Travel infrastructure in the county.”
The Chief Executive of Westmeath County Council, Pat Gallagher added: “The projects will contribute to the delivery of Active Travel infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists in Athlone and Mullingar. It will provide commuters with alternative travel options and help reduce car dependency in accordance with the National Sustainable Mobility Policy and the Climate Action Plan.”
The combined length of the proposed routes in Athlone is approximately 15 kilometres, and approximately 9 kilometres in Mullingar.
Pictured above: Front row (L-R): Ursula O’Higgins, Technical Director, AtkinsRéalis; Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, Councillor Liam McDaniel; Chief Executive of Westmeath County Council, Pat Gallagher; Damein Grennan, Senior Engineer, Transportation Section WCC
Back row (L-R): Stephen Wyse, Associate Director, AtkinsRéalis; Shane Tobin, Associate Director, AtkinsRéalis; Leo Buckley, WCC Active Travel Team, Dale Cowap, WCC Active Travel Team
