Cycleway back on track as talks start

NO CPOs (compulsory purchase orders) and no severance of farms will be red line issues for farmers in the proposed new Greenway/Cycleway from Athlone to Galway, the IFA have outlined this week.

Earlier this month, three local authorities – Galway, Roscommon and Westmeath County Council – along with TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland), outlined their provisional plans for construction of the new route.

Officially titled, The Galway to Athlone National Cycleway Scheme, the local authorities and TII have made it clear that the project – officially ‘paused’ in 2015 – will now be restarting and progressing ‘from a clean slate’.

Last week in Athlone, Ballinasloe, Athenry, Loughrea and Oranmore, a series of public consultation days were held with public displays continuing until this Friday at County Hall in Galway, the Ballinasloe Council office and at Roscommon Co. Council.

In addition to that, a dedicated project office has been established in Ballinasloe where Council and TII officials will be available to meet landowners or members of the public – but by appointment only, due to the COVID restrictions.

This week, Galway IFA Chairperson, Anne Mitchell, stressed to the Farming Tribune that the IFA were in favour of greenways and cycleways adding that if the project was undertaken and executed properly, it could make a very positive contribution to rural Ireland.

However, she stressed, that under no circumstance would the use of CPOs or the severance of farms be tolerated by farmers or their representatives. “We have a duty to ensure that farmers are protected. A code of practice has to be agreed with the landowners; proper consultation has to be entered into; and a group consultation process must be put in place,” said Anne Mitchell.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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