Ratoath Forestry Group Chair Welcomes Meath County Council Update
Ratoath Forestry Group which was established in October 2006 to co-ordinate the funding and involvement of National and Local Government Bodies at the Ratoath Manor Wood Forest/Riverwalk welcomes this weeks very positive response from Meath County Council regarding the appointment of a contractor to progress the Councils aspect of the works for which EUR 180,000 has been allocated.
Minister of State Mary Wallace who Chairs the Ratoath Group is delighted with progress since the Forestry Riverwalk Group was established in October 2006.
The Ratoath River Walk project is located along the Broadmeadow River in Ratoath village. The works will comprise of the construction of new footpaths, public lighting, ducting, drainage & demolition works. The Council has already completed a hard standing footpath and low-level lighting at the Fairyhouse road end. The remaining area along the riverbank is overgrown and subject to anti-social behaviour. The project has progressed since the formation of the Group and meetings with Meath County Council, the Gardai, OPW, Heritage Officer, and the Forestry Services.
A local landscape contractor, Everard Landscapes, prepared drawing free of charge for the project, and the local community group Chaired by Mary Wallace are to apply for funding under the forestry service' s Neighbourwood Scheme for planting. Meath County Council will advance the project on a phased basis with the Ratoath Forestry Group.
Phase 1 of the project consists of circa 340 meters of new footpaths from Bridge 1 to Bridge 2. Phase 2 consists of a further 320 meters between Bridge 2 and the inner relief road at Jamestown. Meath County Council has requested quotations from a number of contractors for the project. It is anticipated that a contractor will be appointed by the end of April with construction of Phase 1 commencing shortly afterwards. Phase 2 of the works is subject to the completion of the upgrade of the Ratoath sewerage scheme subject to land ownership issues currently being dealt with by the local Ratoath Forestry Group.
Meath County Council intends to commence the construction of Phase 1 of the River Walk by the end of April and the project will continue over the Summer. The programme for planting and landscaping has still to be agreed but this can be completed concurrently with, or after completion of, the civil works. The works will be completed in conjunction with the OPW who have agreed to repair the two bridges over the Broadmeadow River following meetings with the Ratoath Forest Riverwalk Group.
Mary Wallace pays tribute to the great dedication and hours of work by the members of the Group, in particular David Everard of Everard Landscapes, in the mapping and planning of the project and would also on behalf of the Group like to thank Meath County Council, the Gardai, the OPW, and the Forest Service for meeting the Group and for their great assistance and help in progressing the project so far.