“There is an assumption that Greenways, cycleways or walkways are primarily tourism amenities. While they do enhance our local tourism offerings in Dublin, first and foremost they are about local people and improving local life, connecting suburbs, local villages or townlands that often become disconnected from one another because of busy and dangerous roads. Being able to walk, run or cycle even more safely and more comfortably along the canal will be a real positive for residents in the area. Once completed, this final 4km section will allow people to walk and cycle from Inchicore to Sallins through Clondalkin and Hazelhatch and enjoy this amenity for both locals and tourists,” said Higgins.

Speaking about the allocation of funding local Councillor Shirley O’Hara said, “it’ll be really brilliant once the greenway is up and running. This is a huge investment in our local community and in the tourism potential for the area. With more people than ever before working from home it’ll be great to have a greenway on the doorstep of so many people to enjoy our beautiful canal. The Council have gone to re-tender for the contract for its construction and we expect the sod to be turned later this year”.