Council called on to get acquainted with greenway 'difficulties'

Officials of the Dungarvan-Lismore Municipal District have been called upon to visit the areas of West Waterford which are expected to be impacted by the Mallow to Dungarvan Greenway.

Cllr Declan Doocey has called upon the council to take the opportunity to become familiar with the ‘difficulties’ faced in this part of the county by the proposed greenway development ahead of any presentation being made to the council by those involved in the project.

“I’m very close to the project where I live and I’m not getting very good vibes back of the relationship between who is doing the study and their contact with the landowners.

“I called last month that we would hire a bus and visit the difficulties and get acquainted with them, so that we would be in a position to understand it ourselves rather than come in here and someone that wouldn’t have any affection to the locality, trying to tell us what would or wouldn’t be accepted by the locals,” Cllr Doocey said.

CONSULTATION ONGOING

Raising the topic initially at last Monday week’s meeting of the Dungarvan Lismore District, Cllr Mairead Tobin sought an update on what she described as a ‘contentious’ issue in the area.

Cllr Tobin queried as to when elected members may receive further feedback on the project and whether more engagement will be taking place with public representatives.

District Engineer at Waterford City and County Council, Conor O’Neill, stated that landowner consultations are ongoing and will continue for the next three to four weeks.

Mr O’Neill noted that the team will also be meeting with IFA representatives regarding the proposed greenway development and that it may be two months before the team return to council with an official update.

“It’s hoped at that stage that we will put together a public consultation process and that will probably be at the latter stage of September,” Mr O’Neill said.