Greenway strategy is set for New Year

Campaigners are hoping it will move the project on in Galway where it has become bogged down in disputes with landowners.

A spokesperson for the Department said it is continuing to work on a policy document to pave the way for a cycle and pedestrian path from Dublin to Galway and onto Clifden.

“The Department expects to finalise it in early 2018 with a funding call to follow later in the year. The Minister [Shane Ross] secured an additional €30m for greenways in the recent budget and revised capital plan and there will be €55.9m in total for greenway funding in the years 2018 – 2021.”

At a meeting organised by the Connemara Greenway Alliance (CGA), all five local Oireachtas members gave their unanimous backing to the Galway-Clifden project.

The campaigners contend that the project could be worth nearly €18 million to the local economy in its first year, and support almost 450 jobs in the towns and villages along the 76 km route.

The delegates heard that a 6km section in Ballynahinch will open in the coming weeks, and that planning permission has been given for the entire Oughterard to Clifden section. The Galway-Moycullen section remains stalled due to the objections of landowners about its impact on the viability of their holdings, putting into doubt the immediate availability of €2 million in funding.

CGA chairperson Tiarnán McCusker hopes the support of local politicians will translate into action at Government level.

“We want the Connemara Greenway to be given high priority. It was refreshing to hear that the TDs will meet with the Minister for Transport to push this and we hope our elected members can follow through. With strong political leadership, a beautiful Greenway leading from the centre of Galway City into the heart of Connemara should be a reality in time for Galway 2020,” he said.

Tiarnán said it was essential that landowners along the route be treated fairly and with respect, pointing to the attendance by a number who have voiced support for the project.

Long term, there are plans to connect to the Great Western Greenway, a 42km from Westport to Achill which had paid for itself in less than a year.

The western end of the Dublin Galway greenway – 30km stretch from Athlone Castle to Ballinasloe and the 110km route from Ballinasloe to the city - has officially been stalled due to pockets of entrenched opposition as it was dividing land holdings.

Some campaigners have called for the use of the old N6 but cycling groups are wholly opposed to a greenway along a main road.