€75k allocated to Collooney-Bellaghy greenway will allow County Council ‘close out existing financial commitments’

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

The €75,000 which has been allocated recently to the now scrapped Collooney-Bellaghy greenway project will allow Sligo County Council to close out existing financial commitments.

This was revealed at the bi-monthly meeting of the Ballymote-Tubbercurry Municipal District by Director of Services Emer Concannon

Ms Concannon reiterated the local authority’s position with regard developing the greenway saying, “We looked at the possibility of the greenway running parallel but it does not offer value for money.” She added, “It is viable on the rail line because it is public land.”

Irish Rail has reiterated that the line from Sligo to Galway will be for use only for trains.

Ms Concannon noted the position of the Council and TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland) saying, “We’re not going to put money into developing a greenway parallel (to the rail line). If Iarnoród Eireann get back to us allowing us to build a greenway on the line we would be happy to progress.”

She also explained "If Iarnród Eireann were happy for Sligo County Council to build a greenway under licence, the Council would have to vacate with six months notice.”

The comments were made in relation to a motion brought forward by Cllr Michael Clarke who called on “Sligo County Council to invite Minster Sean Canney TD to meet with us in Teach Laighne and to visit the train line in Tubbercurry.”

Cllr Clarke stated, “Minister of State Sean Canney is anxious to come to Sligo, he wants to be invited. It would be no harm to invite him, it is incumbent on us to give leadership. The greenway people have worked hard for 30 years, we have to respect everyone.”

Cllr Clarke added, “Whether it is 10, 15 or 20 years, I think the greenway should be a permanent fixture.”

Cllr Paul Taylor raised the issue of monies allocated to the greenway project this year with Ms Concannon confirming €75,000 has been allocated to “close out existing financial commitments.”

Cllr Liam Brennan welcomed an opportunity to put questions to Minister Canney saying, “If Minister Canney would come to visit it would clear up some cloud. People are saying the greenway is going ahead; it is not going ahead unless Irish Rail say it can go on the line.”

Addressing Ms Concannon, Cllr Brennan asked, “Are you looking at developing a corridor one side of the new N17?”

In reply Ms Concannon stated, “Active travel is being looked at but it won’t be a greenway.”

Cllr Gerard Mullaney also queried the possibility of a greenway being placed alongside the upgraded N17 with Ms Concannon answering, “It is not a possibility. The whole idea of a greenway is countryside, scenery, peace - not beside a national primary road.”

Cllr Dara Mulvey said he would be “one of the first to welcome a railway” but expressed his frustration that, “In 2014 I asked for a feasibility study. People are 50 years looking at a disused piece of infrastructure. People want to see something put on it in the interim. Are we going to have another 30-50 years? The Greenway co-op have always said it protects the route.”

Cllr Mulvey agreed that “CPOs won’t work,” adding, “People need clarity, people see there is a possibility of tourism and that brings investment and jobs.”

Cllr Paul Taylor argued building the greenway alongside the railway line would speed up the process saying, “If the work progressed alongside would that not benefit when the work needs to be started for the railway? Would that not speed up the process by 10 years?”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.