Phase three of the Royal Canal Greenway reached its long-awaited completion earlier this month, opening the picturesque 800m stretch between Binns Bridge and the Bloody Sunday bridge. This allows for segregated walking and cycling facilities along a 2.1km route from North Strand Road to Phibsborough Road.

The Royal Canal Greenway project began in different stages, with some sections opening as early as July 2014. The official launch of the project began in 2021. In February of 2023, the construction phase of phase three began.

Speaking to TheCity, Senior Resident Engineer for the project Fergal Connolly shed some light on the Royal Canal Greenway project.

“Initially, phase three was meant to be a 24-month contract, and it had transpired to be 32-month contract,” he said.

With three of the four stages completed, the final phase will focus on the improvement and redevelopment of the 4.2km route between Phibsborough and Ashtown.

“There has been talk that we possibly will not be starting phase four until 2028. As of now it is a speculative date, depending on the outcome of the planning process that’s currently underway,” added Fergal.

“It also depends on funding but 2028 will probably be the earliest we can commence phase four of the Royal Canal Greenway.”

“The NTA formed all these active travel projects, and they give us a certain amount of funding every year,” Fergal said.

According to the NTA’s Active Travel Investment grants 2024, phase three of the Royal Canal Greenway has been granted €10 million.