Greenways needed now-Harkin
MARIAN HARKIN TD SAYS NOW IS THE TIME TO MOVE FORWARD AND PLAN FOR GREENWAYS IN THE REGION WITH MORE EMPHASIS ON OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.
‘A high functioning broadband network is now a better investment than a restored railway’ if balanced regional development is what we require in Sligo/Leitrim at present, suggested Marian Harkin TD following a recent visit to see first-hand the condition of the closed railway line that exists between Collooney and Bellaghy on the Mayo border.
During the election campaign in 2020, Harkin came out in favour of two greenway proposals in the region. Her logic was that there is government funding available for a National Greenway Network and it would be foolish for the regon to miss out on such an opportunity.
In a recent statement she goes on to say; “Every area has to look to its strengths and build on those, and we have to take the opportunities that are presented to us. Sligo County Council has secured funding from the previous Minister for Transport, Shane Ross, through the good work of Councillor Marie Casserly, to get this project shovel ready.
“Sligo County Council is committed to developing this project, which will provide a vital lifeline to the communities of South Sligo as a viable, interconnected, and sustainable tourism project which can be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Speed is of the essence right now, as there are funds available for the development of greenways but there is always the risk that as purse strings are tightened past Covid, that funding will be more difficult to access.
“The old railway line is there, this funding is available, the local communities are making plans to develop tourism facilities adjacent to the greenway, and there is a much greater emphasis on outdoor activities, both nationally and from a tourism perspective. Now is the time and we cannot let this once in a lifetime opportunity slip away”.
Peadar Conway, a member of a Sligo Greenway lobby group was part of a delegation that facilitated Ms. Harkin’s visit, said after the meeting: “The DKM Consultants report on the possible reopening of the rail corridor between Athenry and Claremorris gives little hope of the closed line becoming a viable, fully functioning railway ever again. We now have to move on. The opportunities we do have available to us for economic development come in the form of the rollout of broadband and the creation of these greenways.”
At present Sligo Co Co are actively involved in a planning process to build a greenway on the closed line between Collooney and Bellaghy, a distance of 35km.
At the same time, the abandoned Sligo Leitrim and Northern Counties line running between Collooney and Dromahair will be incorporated into the cross-border greenway which is part of the recent Stormont agreement.
Conway continues: “We have to be pragmatic. We have to take every opportunity and above all, we must act without delay. We need broadband now, we need employment now, we need tourism now. The one thing we cannot afford now is further delay and waiting for a fully functioning railway project will cause delay. In fact, as a potential project for our region, rail is simply not on any spending agenda at this time.”
In conclusion, Conway, a committed local development enthusiast says: “Our rural communities in danger and we know our economic and social needs better than anyone. We are now urgently seeking solutions. We have highlighted greenways and broadband as real affordable possibilities to help restore balance for our economic growth. Greenways are affordable, broadband is essential.”
The creation of two joined up greenways passing through counties Sligo and Leitrim would see both counties taking their place in the National Greenway Network currently being put in place through government investment. The link to Enniskillen would be the first cross-border project of its kind and a link south, through East Mayo via Knock Airport to Athenry, would link with the Dublin to Galway greenway currently being completed.