Clarification sought on controversial Mayo greenway
New Greenway plans are a source of anger and unease for local landowners.
A Westport councillor has called for clarification on the proposed route for the Murrisk Greenway section saying that speculation on the controversial cross-country option was leading to a lot of stress for people in the area.
Cllr Brendan Mulroy told last week's meeting of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District that the issue needs to be resolved promptly. The proposed route of the greenway from Westport to Murrisk has caused huge controversy in the area.
“This needs to be dealt with as speculation now is creating terrible problems for people. Considering the feedback from the public consultation, I cannot figure out how the council even came to selecting its preferred route. It needs to be sorted.”
Head of the district, Seamus O'Mongáin said the preferred route was currently under review and he would be able to update councillors at their meeting in March.
“I do know work is ongoing on it and they [council staff] are continously trying to optimise it so it is to everybody’s satisfaction. They are working hard to make sure that the greenway does get to Louisburgh. It is a priority for the [council's] National Roads Office.”
Mr O'Mongáin also confirmed that the tender for the Newport to Derrada greenway route had received the green light and it was expected that contractors would be on site in the second quarter of this year.
Cllr Paul McNamara asked for public clinics to be held over four weeks in February with local people in Bunnacurry and Cashel in regard to phase 3 of the Achill Greenway development, adding: “I requested those clinics last December and that still hasn’t happened, so I request a few to take place over four weeks in February at Bunnacurry National School so that landowners can come and see the proposed route and ask any questions they feel they have problems with. It is very important that residents can go and talk with county council officials to have any fears they have allayed and questions answered. A lot of people want to talk to a senior person in private. I am receiving a lot of calls on this and there are questions I just cannot answer.”
Mr O'Mongáin said he would relay the request to the council's tourism section, adding that a previous consultation model allowed for people to book a time slot to meet with council personnel, which perhaps would work in this case also.
