"Parts of it, Thomas The Tank Engine couldn't go on it, not to mind a real train," Cllr Michael 'Mogie' Maher remarked about the railway line between Athenry and Milltown during Monday's online Galway County Council meeting.
A lively debate included the Western Rail Corridor and developing a greenway along the route. Support for the proposed Quiet Man Greenway is increasing, but Cllr Maher does not expect the train line to return due to the costs involved.
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"I can tell you that I could never see a train operating on that railway line," Cllr Maher commented. "I think it would cost millions, I don't think it will happen in our lifetime, but I'm not saying it shouldn't happen. I'm absolutely all for rail too if it could come back, but the cost associated with it is just too high for me.
Tourism benefits
Cllr Maher is adamant about the benefits of providing a greenway and believes it could open up tourism opportunities also.
"We are working on a County Development Plan and our new objectives to be put into that County Development Plan," Cllr Maher continued. "If supporting tourism isn't part of that we aren't at the right stage here at all. We should be all supporting whatever tourism we can get into our county - our towns and villages. I certainly will because I do enjoy cycling, everybody knows that. I do hope the greenway comes through."
