Galway Bay fm newsroom – Transport Minister Paschal Donohue has chose to “pause” plans for a greenway through East Galway.
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The National Roads Authority, now subsumed into Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), published the final preferred route for the 145km western section in July of previous year, running through Shannonbridge, Loughrea, Craughwell, Clarinbridge and Oranmore to the Galway coast.
Consultations with 194 landowners – around a fifth of those along the western section – found that just under two thirds were opposed to the cycle path.
“There are also considerations which must be given to animal disease control, security and trespass”, he said, and concerns among farmers applying for planning permission on family farmland close to any cycleway. Concerns expressed by farmers included farm severance and loss of land, disruption to farming operations, loss of farm income and increased insurance premiums.
The Department of Transport has said “Due to funding limitations and eagerness by Government to deliver the Dublin to Galway Greenway, a decision has been made to pause the Galway/Roscommon segment of the route and to progress the Kildare/Meath section, which is shovel ready, instead”.
The announcement follows feedback from local farmers who objected to the development passing through private land.
Responding to news of the stoppage, Hannon said he was happy the Department had pressed pause on the project and said further consultation with landowners would be needed before it resumed.
The Galway to Dublin Greenway is meant to be Ireland’s first dedicated inter-city coast-to-coast route for cyclists.
“We have large tracts of Bord na Móna bog no longer being harvested, substantial Coillte land and Iarnrod Éireann trackway that could have been looked at, and I hope it will be now”, Mr Cannon said.
The Government will now proceed with completing a 43 kilometre section of the greenway between Maynooth and Westmeath.
The Minister added he is fully supportive of the recommendations contained within the TII report, which include retaining the objective to link Dublin and Galway cities and reconsidering the route through Roscommon and Galway to ensure that the concerns of individual landowners are addressed to the maximum possible extent.
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The Department of Transport says the route offers an off-road experience for long-distance cycle tourists in Ireland.
