Galway County Council has chosen a consultant to carry out a feasibility study on the development of the Quiet Man Greenway, connecting Athenry, Ballyglunin, Tuam and Milltown.
The feasibility study is being funded by the Department of Transport and arises from a grant of €75,000 awarded to Galway Co. Council last August, according to FG deputy Ciaran Cannon.
Galway County Council has also advised Deputy Cannon that the newly appointed consultant will be requested to provide a robust and realistic timeframe for the completion of the feasibility study, with key milestones to be reached on certain dates.
Independent reports
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“This is very welcome news for all of who have been campaigning for the development of the Quiet Man Greenway on the disused rail line connecting Athenry to Milltown. Now that a consultant has been chosen to carry out this feasibility study, we will soon have a vital piece of new research to guide us in our decision making,’ he said.
“We already have two independent reports commissioned by the Department of Transport, and they clearly outline that this disused rail line will not be required for any rail service for the foreseeable future.
'Developing the rail line as a greenway means it’s always available to be repurposed for a rail service in the future'
“In addition the North West Regional Aseembly has identified the development of the Quiet Man Greenway on this disused line as a major tourism development opportunity for the West”, said Deputy Cannon. “I have always argued that we needed to carefully and forensically research the future potential of this rail line which has lain idle for over forty years,” added Deputy Cannon.
'Cannot remain idle'
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He went on to say that the railway line cannot remain idle as it is currently not bringing any economic benefit to the area.
“”It’s a vital piece of infrastructure that’s serving no purpose, and bringing no economic benefit to East Galway. It will be an absolute travesty if we allow it to remain idle for any longer.
“That’s why we need to see it developed as a greenway, and bring the kind of transformation we have seen in places like Mayo and Waterford.
'We can’t wait any longer'
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“In developing the rail line as a greenway it will also protect it from encroachment, so that it’s always available if it needs to be repurposed for a rail service in the future. The CEO of Irish Rail, Jim Meade, outlined to an Oireachtas committee earlier this year that greenways on disused rail lines are highly desirable as they do exactly that, project them and keep them in public ownership.
“We expect to have the findings of this new feasibility study available to us at the end of this year, and then it’s time to finally make a decision, we can’t wait any longer”, concluded Deputy Cannon.
