A deal has been struck for works on the River Ara Walkway in County Tipperary.

Metro Building Contractors signed a contract with Tipperary County Council for the works on Friday 24 June. Following this agreement, Tipperary County Council Chief Executive Joe MacGrath and Paul Duffy from Metro Building Contractors took part in a sod turning ceremony on the site near the Abbey School.

This project includes a 1km walkway along the southern bank of the River Ara which will start on the Link Road in Tipperary town at the new pedestrian bridge that was installed last year, and will connect to existing paths and amenities in Glenview Square, creating a looped walkway in the area.

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Among the amenities along the River Ara Walkway will be a community area and commemorative display wall, a playground constructed from natural materials, an amphitheatre for community events, an enhanced natural wetland area with viewing platforms and an elevated boardwalk, a river access point, native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers planted along the river path.

The constructed walkway will be 3m wide and the surface finished with macadam making it fully accessible for all. This walkway will create social, environmental, and educational benefits for Tipperary town. It is expected that the main works will be complete by October this year followed by seasonal planting.

Funding for the project is being provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, Outdoor Infrastructure Recreation Scheme and Tipperary County Council.

The design consultant for the project is VESI Environmental and the contractor is Metro Building Contractors of Wexford.