East Galway TD Ciaran Cannon has welcomed confirmation that the Athlone to Galway greenway office is to be based in Ballinasloe.
Deputy Cannon who is also Minister for the Diaspora and International Development has said that the development is an opportunity to properly engage with local landowners and involve them in the design process from the very outset.
“I`m pleased to learn that the project office for the Athlone to Galway greenway will be located in Ballinasloe”.
“This is excellent news for those who have championed the construction of the Dublin to Galway greenway and it provides an opportunity to properly engage with local landowners and have them involved in the design process from the very outset,” he said.
He said that he has repeatedly made the point that any greenway project which fails to engage properly with landowners and community leaders is doomed to failure.
“Having a local project office for this strategically important greenway will help to ensure that such effective engagement takes place”.
“To ensure our success we also need to focus on the use of publicly owned lands and country lanes in order to avoid encroaching on people`s property and undermining their livelihoods,” he said.
Minister Cannon added this development will bring huge benefits for East Galway’s economy, in particular for those communities that reside along the greenway route.
“It is vital, however, that there is full engagement with all stakeholders to ensure the most successful outcome for all involved,” he concluded.
