New NI deal offers opportunities with Greenways- Clr Casserly

A new power sharing Assembly in the North offers real opportunities to pursue Greenways according to local councillor Marie Casserly.

Last Feb she helped organise a meeting between Transport Minister Shane Ross and DUP Leader Arlene Foster at the demonstration stretch of the proposed Sligo Leitrim Northern Counties Greenway (SLNCR) from Cornacloy to Sradrine near Glenfarne.

Now, in the ‘New Decade New Approach Deal - the UK and Irish Government Committments’ document, there is reference under the Connectivity and Infrastructrue heading of “enormous immediate potential for projects including Greenways in border areas such as the Sligo-Enniskillen Greenway.”

“We are ready to consider a further development funding application to be submitted in January and are committed to taking this project forward to deliver sustainable tourism and other enterprise benefits for the region,” said the communique. The length of the proposed greenway to run along the former Sligo, Leitrim and Northern counties railway is 72 kilometres and will cost an estimated €11 million to complete.

The proposed rail trail will convert the disused railway route and would start at Collooney and pass through Ballintogher, Dromahair, Glenfarne, Blacklion and Enniskillen. Cllr Casserly said this was a very positive development as the ultimate aim was to keep communities and borders open accross the island, particularly with Brexit approaching. “This committment is vital to grow and sustain towns and communities along the border that have suffered for many years from depopulation.

“The SLNCR Greenway will attract and encourage tourists to visit and stay in the Region, supporting small enterprises and creating jobs and encouraging healthy lifestyles.Well done to all Greenway Advocates in Leitrim and Sligo for keeping this going over the past few years also, and thanks to Minister Ross and his staff in the Dept of Transport for accommodating meetings and listening to the people on the ground.

“In a decade we will hopefully be able to cycle around the 32 counties on Greenways without ever meeting a car or crossing a Border.”

Separately, Cllr Casserly says she has made the case to Shane Ross for funding to be allocated to less well off local authorities for feasibility studies for Greenway projects.

“As a result of this lobbying, the Department is making €4.5 million available to local authorities to get these projects shovel ready and no matching funding is required,” she said.