New greenway has given an 'unbelievable' boost to Mayo community
Minister Jack Chambers and Cllr Paul McNamara at the opening of the new Achill Greenway last September. Picture: Conor McKeown
Ongoing development of the Great Western Greenway will see works now move from the recently completed stretch at Achill Sound onto the route between Cashel and Bunnacurry.
Mayo County Council's Tourism Development Officer Anna Connor told a meeting of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District that the council will be in contact with landowners to advance this project to the next level.
Achill-based Cllr Paul McNamara said there was no doubt that the Achill Sound Greenway was "an excellent job" and the difference it has made to the area "is unbelievable".
“I wish to acknowledge all involved in those works. In fairness, there was a lot of disruption but the way it has turned out for the community is great.
“It is very important now that we engage with farmers and landowners on the ground in this new phase. Permissive agreements are no longer in place. It is a totally new land acquisition process where an independent valuer is appointed, and the stakeholder can also appoint their own valuer. In order for all that to work, the groundwork of knocking on doors and engaging with the community must be done and we don’t want the council to just go sending out letters, as happened in the past.”
Cllr Peter Flynn said: “I was lucky to cycle on the new Achill Greenway recently and it is a credit to all involved. I particularly love the boardwalk on it. It just goes to show what can be done when you engage in the correct way and consult with people. It is a model for any part of the country to go and look at what has been achieved down in Achill in the last 12-18 months.”
The tourism officer assured members that there would be full and open engagement with stakeholders and that this next 5k stretch of the greenway is now a priority.
