Technical advisors appointed for south Wicklow greenway project

By Hugh O'Farrell Walsh, The Wicklow People

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has approved the appointment of technical advisors to steer the Arklow to Shillelagh Greenway project toward its design phase.

The update follows a review by TII of Wicklow County Council’s tender competition. The council is now cleared to finalise the process and officially engage the successful tenderer, a move seen as a critical turning point for a project that has faced nearly 15 years of stagnation.

Deputy Brennan, who has been vocal regarding the slow pace of the development, expressed a mix of relief and optimism at the news.

“I very much welcome this update,” Deputy Brennan said.

“This project has been mired in delays for so many years with little obvious progress. At this point, there remains several more steps ahead in the process and it is likely that it will take a further 24 months before we will see this project come to fruition, but it feels that there is some momentum building and that the Greenway is getting closer and closer to becoming a reality.”

The proposed route is set to link Arklow, Woodenbridge, Aughrim, Annacurra, Tinahely, and Shillelagh. Brennan emphasised that the infrastructure would provide a massive boost to tourism, hospitality, and retail in the region.

“These communities are vibrant and proactive and have not been sitting on their hands, despite waiting almost a decade to see progress,” he noted.

“There has been significant local investment in all of these towns, it will be just reward for these communities to finally have this project open up further opportunity.”

The project is now entering Phase 3 (Design and Environmental Evaluation). According to Transport Minister Darragh O’ Brien, this stage will establish the definitive land footprint needed for the greenway and involve "extensive engagement" with local landowners and stakeholders.

The Department of Transport has committed €300,000 to the project for 2026 to cover immediate tasks, which include engineering and environmental surveys, advancing design development, direct engagement with the Arklow to Shillelagh Greenway committee.

Initial studies were undertaken by Wicklow County Council in 2011 to assess feasibility and potential routes. Funding was then secured from the National Transport Authority for detailed feasibility and preliminary design work.

Over the next decade the project involved extensive landowner and stakeholder engagement, feasibility studies, environmental assessments and route design options.

By late 2021 the council began seeking statutory approval for the project, including the use of potential use of compulsory purchase orders, where voluntary land acquisition agreements could not be secured. TII guidelines emphasised using voluntary agreements for land acquisition, ensuring that compulsory purchase orders are a last resort.

In 2022 planning responsibilities for greenways shifted from the National Transport Authority to TII, which released updated manuals and standards to guide design, planning and environmental review. This transfer extended the project timeline but provided a more structured approach to ensure long-term delivery.

While the appointment of advisors is a victory for local campaigners, the finish line remains two years away. Phase 3 is expected to take up to 24 months to complete before physical construction can be fully realised.

Nonetheless, Deputy Brennan remains resolutely steadfast.

“This greenway will be fundamental to improving the lives of people in south Wicklow and I will keep pushing progress until the day we open it.”