New confidence for Athenry-Tuam greenway lobby

Those campaigning for a walking and cycling greenway along the Athenry to Tuam railway line have been given fresh hope.

The Minister for Transport has stated that the provision of a greenway would protect the integrity of the Western Rail Corridor.

The statement has come as a major blow to those hoping that the rail link from Athenry to Tuam and onwards to Claremorris would be reopened.

It has now resulted in those opposed to the greenway having a change of mind on the matter – given that the Department has ruled out any chance of the rail line being reopened.

“This is the death knell of the Western Rail Corridor,” declared Cllr. Sean Canney who was vehemently opposed to a greenway being provided on the railway line.

However, he has softened his approach this week. He said that he if the Government had no plan to reopen the rail line, then it had to be used for some other purpose.

“There has been a seismic change in Government policy. I am bitterly disappointed but we have to move on. I am still looking for clarity on the issue”, Cllr. Canney told The Connacht Tribune.

In the statement Minister Paschal Donohue indicated that there were no plans to extend the rail corridor from Athenry to Tuam and beyond.

He stated: “I would like to re-confirm my Department’s position that there are currently no plans to extend the Western Railway Corridor.

“Furthermore, I would like to reiterate that it is the Department’s view that the construction of a greenway along the route of the disused rail line will protect the integrity of the line in the event of any possible future reopening of as an operational line”.

It means that he has thrown ‘cold water’ on any plans by West on Track to have the railway line reopened anytime in the near future. In fact, it has been put well on the back burner.

There have been major campaigns to have the railway line open but the failure of the Athenry to Ennis section of the corridor has put paid to any chances of this happening.

It has now provided those in favour of developing a walking and cycling greenway with renewed hope of it being provided along the track. This week they are celebrating the Minister’s announcement.

Cllr. Canney said that it was a major setback but they now had to consider other options for the rail track. This included a walking and cycling greenway.