Farmers see red on greenway
Dozens of landowners have come out in opposition to the much-publicised Galway to Athlone walking and cycling greenway – as they claimed they have never been consulted on the route.
Several landowners along the greenway, from the city to South Galway and onto Athlone, say that there has been no consultation despite the fact that meetings of Galway County Council have been told discussions are taking place.
Those opposed to the greenway say the whole thing has seen a lack of consultation and rumour – and that sections of the preferred route is through lands that have not been acquired or are agreed upon.
One landowner, Naomi Larkin from Meelick near Eyrecourt, told the Connacht Tribune that she was informed by a neighbour that the greenway would be running through her property.
She said that there was no consultation or conversation with any authority, but she was told by a neighbour about a line in a map that included her lands.
“It was a shocking revelation,” she admitted.
Neighbours in Clonfert and Clonmoylan also say that there has been no consultation despite statements to the contrary from Council officials.
“These landowners and homeowners that are within the preferred corridor and only know of the proposed greenway from social media sites, word of mouth and through the media where the councils involved, the public representatives and the project team are pushing their positive campaign,” said Ms Larkin.
“It is very upsetting and frustrating for the landowners and homeowners that could be potentially affected when the Council and project team are using various media channels to tell their audience that there is good communication when the reality and experience on the ground is completely different.
“Landowners and homeowners within the selected corridor should have been contacted and consulted to discuss potential issues before any announcements on a preferred route is made,” Ms Larkin added.
Meanwhile, the East Galway Greenway Action Group are completely opposed to land severance and the use of CPOs, despite the Code of Best Practice signed off by the three main farming organisations.
The group has concerns regarding the safety of the public using the proposed greenway due to the rural landscape and the lack of proposed policing.
At best, the greenway will be only suitable for use in daylight hours and during the fine weather and outside of these times the group is fearful of antisocial behaviour and the risk to human life due to the isolated environment.
It is suggested that the proposed greenway will cut through green fields leaving an eight to 13 metre tarmac roadway through lands that are currently being farmed.