Greenways falling off in popularity, councillor claims

A councillor has claimed the popularity of the Great Western Greenway in Mayo is fading.

The topic arose during a discussion at the September meeting of Mayo County Council about the recent government support for a greenway along the Western Rail Corridor in Sligo.

Cllr Patsy O’Brien commented: “There is a drop-off in the Westport to Achill greenway because there is a lot more of them coming on stream and most GAA grounds now have facilities to walk on, with lighting, and that are safe for people to walk on.” 

Suggesting that greenways are seasonal and only suitable to country locations, he added: “They are on about a greenway along the rail corridor in Sligo, but there is no room for that and someone on a walkway can’t be looking at trains and trains looking at them.” 

Cllr John O’Malley agreed it was not right to set up a greenway along a road or railway line, adding: “The greenways are falling off in popularity, that’s the truth.”

However, Cllr Gerry Coyle warned: “We have to be very careful what we say about the greenway. It is a major attraction and when I travel through Mulranny I am in awe at the amount of people along it and the fact it has brought people to parts of this area never visited before."

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme