The Galway branch of An Taisce has welcomed the commitment of Galway Council Council, and the support shown by many county councillors, to the development of the proposed Connemara Greenway and other “worthwhile” greenway projects which will not only provide vital amenities for local communities but also boost tourism and create jobs in hospitality.
In response to news last week regarding the Connemara Greenway, An Taisce Galway Association chairman Derrick Hambleton congratulated county mayor Tom Welby and other councillors for giving this worthy project full support. He also noted that it was “a pity” that some landowners are still prepared to object to these “positive attempts for the promotion of rural tourism” but stressed the need for such landowners to always be kept part of the consent process in order to keep these routes open.
The concerns of some councillors regarding the proposed use of the old Tuam to Athenry railway line as a greenway were also echoed by Mr Hambleton who said that although An Taisce members in Galway city welcomed the construction of cycle routes by all local authorities, there was a “much larger benefit” to ensuring that a rail route connecting the cities of Cork, Limerick, Galway, and Sligo, be constructed, due to “its positive impacts for economic regeneration along this ‘Atlantic Corridor’.”
“Climate Change, and the need to get people out of their cars and onto modern public transport is the name of the game we should all be promoting here, surely. There are many alternative routes to be looked at by which to facilitate a Tuam to Athenry walking and cycling route,” he said.
In a statement Mr Hambelton said: “Everyone in Ireland is aware of the huge success of the Great Western - Achill Island to Westport ‘Greenway’. Similar positive outcomes await us in County Galway when this project gets off the ground” adding that greenway projects when developed in rural areas have the beneficial effect of promoting tourism, creating new jobs in the hospitality sectors by increasing footfall in local B&Bs, pubs, and restaurants.
Regarding proposed facilities for around the city, Mr Hambleton said that they will complement the Government’s Smarter Travel Initiatives in promoting the increase of cycling and walking, thus generating a modal shift away from the overly high use of motor vehicles.
