Task force formed to progress plans for East Coast Greenway
HEALTH Minister Simon Harris and Wicklow County Council Chief Executive Frank Curran are spearheading the newly formed East Coast Greenway Task Force.
The task force consists of members of the OPW, Irish Rail, Failte Ireland, National Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Transport.
The ‘Wicklow Town Team’ has been leading the initiative and formed a East Coast Greenway sub-group, chaired by Ciaran Lally. Mr Lally has warmly welcomed the formation of the task force.
‘We have long stated that the fastest way to see the creation of the long sought-after greenway is through a task force,’ said Mr Lally.
‘ The fact that the Minister has managed to attract senior members from the OPW, Irish Rail, Failte Ireland, National Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Transport to work together is very significant.
‘We are aware that this does not guarantee immediate success as a number of obstacles will need to be tackled, however having all of these bodies working together bodes well for the chance of a swift and positive outcome,’ he said.
The East Coast Greenway committee has thanked Minister Harris and Mr Curran for the priority they have placed on the project and are also grateful for the support they have received from Deputies Andrew Doyle, Stephen Donnelly and Pat Casey.
‘We are thrilled with the response we are getting from the people of east Wicklow,’ said Mr Lally. ‘With well over 10,000 signatures to our petition already, there is no doubt that the people of Wicklow not only want to see the construction of a greenway – they are demanding that it happen quickly. As outlined previously, the economic, health and other benefits that will ensue, make this project extremely important for the region’.
The planned greenway route from Wicklow town to Greystones would also pass through Newcastle and Kilcoole.
Wicklow County Council also recently announced the appointment of consultants WS Atkins to look at the feasibility of different route options.