Fine Gael Councillor, Neil Cruise, has this week confirmed that Mr Michael Ring TD, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, is set to announce €200,000 in funding for the construction of the first phase of the Foxford/Pontoon Greenway, under his Department’s Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
Cllr Cruise said: "It has been confirmed to me by Minister Ring that he will next week be announcing €200,000 in funding for the construction of the first phase of the Foxford/Pontoon Greenway.
"This will ensure the development of a 1.5km Greenway from Bellass to Clossagh townlands at Foxford for walkers and cyclists. The Greenway is the first part of a greater route linking Foxford to Pontoon and ultimately connecting into the existing Castlebar/Turlough greenway at Turlough.
"The benefits for the Foxford/Pontoon area will be significant and long standing. We are blessed to live in a beautiful part of the world and this greenway will help attract visitors to our area and will provide a wonderful outlet to locals. I genuinely believe this is the start of something really special.
"From the start, Minister Ring has supported our efforts to get this greenway up and running. He is now delivering the funding to make it happen.”
The work will entail: (1 ) Site Clearance over 1.5km, (2 ) Wall set back, (3 ) Provision of lateral Drainage, (4 ) Boundary construction incl wall and fencing, (5 ) Path kerbing, (6 ) Installation of Cl 804 foundation subbase, (7 ) Macadam surfacing, (8 ) Adjoining accommodation works and (9 ) Signage, seating
Cllr Cruise added that the project forms one part of the proposed Foxford / Pontoon Greenway which is planned to ultimately connect into the Mayo Greenway network at Turlough and that, according to Fáilte Ireland, walking attracts more visitors than any other holiday activity and contributes significantly to motivating visitors to choose Ireland as their holiday destination; and walking offers the highest potential of any activity for Ireland for both domestic and overseas markets.
