Councillors voice strong opposition to Sligo greenway plan

The plan to develop a greenway on the Western Rail Corridor from Collooney to Bellaghy must be stopped, according to councillors in Mayo.

The matter was raised at the September meeting of Mayo Co Council, just days after it had been announced that Irish Rail was to enter a lease arrangement with Sligo Co Council for the planned 35km greenway on the rail-link, which has been closed for 50 years.

Cllr Damien Ryan, who raised the matter, said he was "not anti-greenway" but "did not want to see critical infrastructure that has far-reaching consequences for this region interfered with". 

"I want to reaffirm our commitment to preserve that rail corridor that runs right through our county," he added.

Cllr Ryan then called on all public and national government representatives in Sligo "to rescind the decision to permit a greenway on the railway line in order to grow our region and provide that vital link and connectivity between Galway and Sligo".

Cllr Gerry Murray supported the call, adding: “The Western Rail Corridor is the main route to Waterford Port, which since Brexit is the new maritime route to Europe. I have no doubt this decision will be reversed because the Taoiseach is simply unaware of the momentum coming out of Sligo and has grossly underrated the huge demand there from people who want this infrastructure. If we are serious about balanced regional development, we have to call for this to be reversed.” 

Cllr Richard Finn, who is vice-chairperson of the Western Inter-County Rail Committee, said the planned re-opening of the line between Athenry and Claremorris was very welcome, but it was disappointing to learn that the line to Sligo is to be used for a greenway.

"I am dismayed that this controversy has arisen again. People from all parties have been working hard trying to facilitate the opening of this railway line. We don’t have a problem with greenways, and in fact promote them, but as far as we are concerned there will be no greenway on rail infrastructure in this region.” 

He said it was “a minority [group] in Sligo that is in favour of this greenway”, adding: “If we are going to see the benefits of opening Athenry to Claremorris it will be through joining up our two cities of Galway and Sligo. We fully support the line going to Charlestown. It is part of our county development plan, and it is important that is not interfered with.” 

Cllr Finn suggested it would cost one billion euro to replace the rail infrastructure, saying: “If they want a greenway let them find one side by side with the railway, but the railway itself is infrastructure that should not be taken up."

Cllr Patsy O’Brien said the rail corridor was "held by our forefathers for the purpose of developing the rail line", adding: "It is a dismay to me this has happened. Greenways are leisure and exercise facilities whereas railways are infrastructure and development."

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.