Boyne Greenway – Drogheda to Mornington

Project Overview

The Boyne Greenway – Drogheda to Mornington scheme follows the southern edge of the River Boyne, east of Drogheda from Ship Street, which is located adjacent to the railway viaduct (Belfast Dublin line) to Mornington Town, generally follow the existing Marsh Road (R150) and Mornington Road (R151).

The overall objective of the proposed Boyne Greenway is to provide a dedicated pedestrian and cycle route from Drogheda Town to Mornington Village while also providing connections to schools along the route i.e. Le Chéile Educate Together, Bhradain Feasa Primary School and Drogheda Grammar Schools. The overall length of the Drogheda to Mornington section of the route is approximately 5.9km.

The Boyne Greenway has also been identified as a route which will form part of the National Cycle Network (corridor 5 & 15) linking the East Coast Trail to the international cross-country EuroVelo Route 2 from Galway to Dublin southwest of Trim. Once developed the Boyne Greenway will be a world class tourist facility creating significant economic opportunities for business and communities along the length of the valley and its surrounds.

The scheme will deliver a dedicated pedestrian and cycle route from Drogheda Town to Mornington Village while also providing connections to schools along the route i.e. Le Chéile Educate Together, Bhradain Feasa Primary School and Drogheda Grammar Schools.

The overall length of the Drogheda to Mornington section of the route is approximately 5.9km, with approximately 4.1 km of the route directly alongside the Regional Road and approximately 1.8km slightly away from the route of the road to ensure both a safe continuation of the greenway and to provide high amenity value through enhanced interaction with the Boyne Estuary.

Although it would be preferable to have the greenway completely away from the road, this approach balances the reduced impact on the SPA/SAC with access and functionality yet still providing high amenity value through enhanced interaction with the Boyne Estuary.
The greenway has been developed in a holistic manner whereby the scheme proposals are respectful of existing environmental constraints in terms of sensitive habitats and areas of built heritage.

To mitigate impacts on landscape character it is proposed to implement a row of native trees
(loosely planted) and hedge planting along certain sections of the greenway route. This will enhance the landscape character of the road corridor and increase the biodiversity value of the proposed greenway.