County Mayor says Connemara Greenway could regenerate region

Date Published: 24-Apr-2013

The Connemara Greenway project has the potential to regenerate the whole region.

That’s according to County Mayor Tom Welby who was speaking following a presentation on the planned 52 kilometre stretch from Clifden to Oughterard at the monthly meeting of the local authority.

An Bord Pleanala gave the project the go-ahead last month (March) subject to nine conditions following an oral hearing.

Senior Engineer Liam Gavin said funding of 9.2 million euro will be required and an application has gone to Failte Ireland.

He said 70 of the 80 landowners have been spoken to so far and it’s hoped to go to construction before the end of the year with construction continuing into 2014 and 2015.

Cllr Michael Mogie Maher told the meeting he’s aware of one landowner who plans to object and has three sections of land.

Cllr Eileen Mannion said she hopes such landowners will reconsider as the project would be a huge boost for the area keeping employment and young people at home.

Mayor Welby says there was a huge amount of consultation with landowners about it, an oral hearing and an independent planning process.

He said it was unfortunate some have issue with it as it’s key to regional development.