Project Milestones
On achieving the TII Phase 2 Gateway in August 2025 the following key milestones were completed:
- Publish the Emerging Preferred Corridor
- Hold Public Consultation No. 3 – Emerging Preferred Corridor
- A Stage 1&2 Scheme Assessment Report was completed in line with DEM 182/20 & TD 37/93
- Publish the Options Report
- Publish Public Consultation Report No. 3
- Publish the Preferred Corridor
Biodiversity Surveys
An extensive ecological programme of ecological surveys was undertaken in 2025 within the Preferred Corridor. Surveys included:
- Multidisciplinary Ecological Walkover Surveys
- Habitat Surveys
- Mammal Surveys
- Otter Habitat Suitability Assessments
- Fisheries Habitat Assessments
- River Habitat Assessments
- Bat Habitat Appraisals
- Nighttime Bat Walkovers
- Static Detector Surveys
- Marsh Fritillary Larval Web Surveys
- Marsh Fritillary Habitat Condition Assessments
- Wintering Bird Surveys
- Invasive Species Surveys
- Camera Trapping
Almost 1,400 individual land parcels were surveyed covering almost 92% of the Preferred Corridor.
Approximately 1,575 hours were spent coordinating, mobilising, and undertaking ecological surveys this year and further surveys are planned for 2026 once the Emerging Preferred Route begins to appear.
Consultation
- Consultation has been through a variety of media including in person events, in person community group meetings, meetings with elected representative, social media campaigns, notices in the written press and letters/postcards to individual landowners.
- In 2025, Public Consultation No. 3 on the Emerging Preferred Corridor was held from 29th April and 3rd June. In person events were held at three locations, the Sligo Park Hotel & Leisure Club, Dromahair Branch Library and Belcoo Community Centre on the 6th, 7th & 8th of May, respectively.
- Approx. 1,240 individual landowners were contacted in writing prior to the Emerging Preferred Corridor being published (March 2025), advising them their land was within the Emerging Preferred Corridor and encouraging them to reach out to the Project Liaison Officers (PLOs).
- From March to the June 2025 direct engagement was held with a significant proportion of landowners and/or their representatives in the Preferred Corridor. This was achieved through a combination of door-to-door enquiries and direct contact via phone and/or email.
- During the three Public Consultation events held in May 2025 a total of 179 individuals attended and had the opportunity to discuss the project directly with member(s) of the project team.
- During Public Consultation No. 3 approx. 1,680 postcards were issued to individuals & businesses informing them of the consultation and encouraging them to engage.
- On publication of the Preferred Corridor, approx. 1,595 individuals within the Preferred Corridor were written to advising them that their land was within the Preferred Corridor.
LiDAR Surveys
- Prior to LiDAR & Orthographic Photography Surveys being undertaken in November & December 2025 in counties Cavan, Leitrim & Sligo approx. 1,422 postcards were issued to landowners and businesses advising them that the surveys were being undertaken. Advertisements were placed in local newspapers and posted on social media outlets and the project website.
- To date approx. 17.7km² (89%) of the PC in the Republic of Ireland has been flown. Dialogue continues with circa 17no. landowners with a view to completing the remaining surveys in the new year.
Looking Forward to 2026
- The procurement of Topographical and Hydrographical surveys in the Republic of Ireland is substantially complete, and it is expected that Murphy Geospatial will be onsite early in the year. The procurement of LiDAR, Orthographic Photography, Topographical and Hydrographical surveys in Northern Ireland is underway and it is expected that Murphy Geospatial will be onsite in Q1 of 2026. Prior to these surveys potential affected landowners will be notified.
- Inspections of existing structures and bridges within the Preferred Corridor will continue in early 2026.
- Stakeholder engagement and consultation with statutory authorities will continue throughout 2026. In person landowner meeting to discuss route options within the Preferred Corridor will begin in Q1 2026. The PLOs, supported by the Design Team will discuss the emerging preferred route with affected landowners and the alternatives that have been considered to date.
- Ecological surveys will continue throughout 2026 with further spring/summer surveys planned once the Emerging Preferred Route begins to appear.
- Public Consultation No. 4 on the Emerging Preferred Route, planned for the second half of 2026, will take place once each individual landowner has been consulted, route options have been discussed, and the Emerging Preferred Route has been identified.
- The procurement of further Site Investigations, such as Ground Investigations (GI), Archaeological Investigations (AI), Noise, Air Quality, Speed and Traffic Surveys are planned for the second half of 2026 once landowners have been consulted and the Emerging Preferred Route has been identified.
- The Phase 3 Connectivity Strategy for the Greenway will be developed once the Emerging Preferred Route has been identified.
- Stage 1 Road Safety Audits, in line with GE-STY-01024 and GG 119 will be undertaken on the Emerging Preferred Route in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, respectively.
- A Stage 3 Scheme Assessment Report will be completed in line with DEM 182/20 & TD 37/93.