Sligo Mayo Greenway - A new opportunity for the West of Ireland
The route
The route of the proposed Sligo Mayo Greenway is to follow the alignment of the Colooney to Claremorris rail line which was closed down in the 1970s. There has been campaigns to get the line re-opened as a rail line but in the current economic climate in Ireland this would now appear to be a very optimistic long term aim. The question arises could the track now be put too good public use as a greenway - and protect the alignment for any future use as a railway in the long-term future?
At a conference about the Western Rail Corridor in May 2009, then Irish Government Minister Eamon O'Cuiv proposed that this section of the line might be better used as a Greenway until such time as a railway might be considered. The last Government Transport plan called Transport 21 made no committment to open this section of the Railway line, and the current government under Minister Leo Varadkar has also made no committment to re-open any of the Wesern Rail Corridor north of Claremorris in fact for the forseeable future there is no plan for this line to be re-opened north of Athenry.
So why a Greenway? A Greenway along this route will bring visitors to the area and provide locals with a very cost effective leisure facility. The need for safe walking and cycling facilities is paramount, the need to catch up with the rest of Europe for cycling and walking facilities is very important in order to attract activity holiday makers.
Greenways bring in visitors! A greenway was opened in April 2010 along the old route of the rail line from Newport to Mulranny along the north shore of Clew Bay - this 17.5 km trail has already proved to be a great success with many extra visitors going to the area every weekend - take a look a this link on You tube to see what we could have in East Sligo and East Mayo! The Great Western Greenway has been a massive success - 80,000 users per annum and millions of tourist euros into the area
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNMVG7pMRvs This really shows you the potential of the Sligo Mayo Greenway!
So do you think this is a good idea? If you do then please sign up for our campaign today and join the many others in Sligo and Mayo who want to see Ireland's longest Greenway running through Counties Sligo and Mayo
THE SLIGOMAYOGREENWAY - LETS MAKE IT HAPPEN - NOW - NOT IN TEN YEARS TIME! email leo varadkar minister@dttas.ie now!
At a conference about the Western Rail Corridor in May 2009, then Irish Government Minister Eamon O'Cuiv proposed that this section of the line might be better used as a Greenway until such time as a railway might be considered. The last Government Transport plan called Transport 21 made no committment to open this section of the Railway line, and the current government under Minister Leo Varadkar has also made no committment to re-open any of the Wesern Rail Corridor north of Claremorris in fact for the forseeable future there is no plan for this line to be re-opened north of Athenry.
So why a Greenway? A Greenway along this route will bring visitors to the area and provide locals with a very cost effective leisure facility. The need for safe walking and cycling facilities is paramount, the need to catch up with the rest of Europe for cycling and walking facilities is very important in order to attract activity holiday makers.
Greenways bring in visitors! A greenway was opened in April 2010 along the old route of the rail line from Newport to Mulranny along the north shore of Clew Bay - this 17.5 km trail has already proved to be a great success with many extra visitors going to the area every weekend - take a look a this link on You tube to see what we could have in East Sligo and East Mayo! The Great Western Greenway has been a massive success - 80,000 users per annum and millions of tourist euros into the area
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNMVG7pMRvs This really shows you the potential of the Sligo Mayo Greenway!
So do you think this is a good idea? If you do then please sign up for our campaign today and join the many others in Sligo and Mayo who want to see Ireland's longest Greenway running through Counties Sligo and Mayo
THE SLIGOMAYOGREENWAY - LETS MAKE IT HAPPEN - NOW - NOT IN TEN YEARS TIME! email leo varadkar minister@dttas.ie now!
