Greenways a top priority in County Galway Development Plan submissions

The number of submissions on the Galway County Development Plan – which is a roadmap for the future of the county over the next six years – have increased 30-fold, with greenways now a top priority amongst the public.

The vast majority of those who made submissions in this regard are advocating the provision of the ‘Quiet Man Greenway’ from Athenry to Tuam and on to Claremorris.

Greenways in Connemara and parts of South Galway also form part of these submissions. Overall, they make up more than 70% of the total number received by the County Council during the consultation period.

County Secretary Michael Owens confirmed to the Connacht Tribune that in the last County Development Plan 2016-21, there were just 75 submissions from the public, but for the plan currently being formulated, there were a whopping 2,242.

The volume of submissions advocating a walking and cycling greenway along the old Western Rail Corridor track will be a source of concern for those – many county councillors included – who are campaigning for this rail line to be reopened for passenger traffic.

A large number of submissions referred to the planned 76km-long Connemara Greenway connecting Galway City to Clifden travelling through dramatic landscapes, exploring historic sites and visiting villages and towns along the way.

When completed, the Connemara Greenway will be the longest off-road walking and cycling trail in the country. It will be a traffic free cycling and walking trail which follows the route of the historic Galway to Clifden railway line which closed in 1935.

It will start at Fisheries Field in NUI Galway, proceed along the river to Dangan and then the old railway line to Moycullen, Oughterard, Maam Cross, Recess, Ballinahinch and finish in Clifden.

The Galway City section will have spurs along the old canal to Galway’s West End and over the old railway bridge stacks to Tirellan Forest Park – facilitating a new walking and cycling bridge over the Corrib.

Many of the remaining 600-plus submissions to the plan relate to the development of parks and recreational areas, the provision of additional sporting facilities in different parts of the county and assistance to various community projects.

Mr Owens said that next stage of the timeline is the preparation of the Chief Executive’s Report on the submissions.

“It is necessary to complete this within 12 weeks of the closing date for submissions, which means it has to be done by October 22.”

Councillors will then have a further period to consider the report and the plan should be adopted by April or May next year.