Anger among landowners over proposed Greenway  

Around 200 people gathered in Westport at the weekend to protest over a controversial proposed greenway route.

Local landowners have been left angered over proposals to build the greenway route from Westport to Murrisk through their lands.

Two proposed routes for the greenway have been published.

Option one involves the construction of a roadside greenway next to the R335 Louisburgh Road while option two involves the construction of an elevated greenway located away from the R335 that will traverse through land and hills.

Landowners in the area fear that they are at risk of having their fields cut in half to facilitate the greenway if the second route is approved.

Approximately 40 landowners are likely to be impacted if the preferred route through their lands is approved.

Peter Shanley, chair of the local landowners' group, said the proposed route will go through a major floodplain, cut farmers' fields in half and could cost up to €10 million to construct. Environmental concerns have also been aired.

"The only beneficiaries of the proposed route will be the handful of people who decide to cycle it,” said Mr Shanley. "Option one is the preferred route for the people who live here because it makes sense.

"There is an existing walkway and cycleway there, and by upgrading the road, all of the community will benefit from it,” he added.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and Mayo County Council have come under fire for the lack of consultation with local landowners.

“They have broken the guidelines, they haven’t consulted with us,” said Mr Shanley.

Gerry Loftus, leader of the Rural Ireland Organisation (RIO), also expressed opposition

“Previous greenway projects were done with proper consultation and the route would be walked with farmers. This has completely changed,” “It’s not essential to put a greenway through somebody’s farm,” he added.