Achill councillor says Greenway extension 'a long way off'

AN Achill councillor has claimed that the 'premature announcement' by Mayo TD Alan Dillon that the Cashel to Bunnacurry section of the Greenway had gone to tender has caused anxiety and concern among many landowners in the area.

Achill councillor Paul McNamara claimed that an announcement by Deputy Alan Dillon that a 5 km stretch of the new Greenway from Cashel to Bunnacurry has now gone to tender was 'totally wrong'.

Deputy Dillon issued a press release on December 28 stating that the extension to Bunnacurry of the Greenway had gone to tender and will progress to design and construction once a contract has been awarded.

The Castlebar-based TD later went on Mid West Radio on Wednesday, January 3 where he reiterated what was stated in the press release and welcomed the news.

Cllr McNamara told The Mayo News that following the broadcast on Mid West Radio he received a number of phone calls from landowners asking what was happening.

“The information given out last Wednesday is totally wrong. I got a lot of calls from landowners from that area regarding his announcement asking why they were not notified. They didn't know if the Greenway was going through their lands or where it was going so it did cause a bit of anxiety and discomfort. Once it was explained where it was at and that due process would take place they were happy with the explanation.

“A small tender for a trailhead in Achill Sound which includes street furniture, shelters and charging points is the only tender at the moment which Mayo County Council has advertised. The Cashel to Bunnacurry Greenway has not gone to tender and no negotiations has taken place whatsoever,” he said.

Minister Jack Chambers opening the Greenway from Achill Sound to Saula last February

Last September, Minister Jack Chambers officially opened the extension of the Greenway from Achill Sound to Saula and work on the section through Achill Sound is due to be completed at the end of February.

The Cashel to Bunnacurry extension will be the next section to be worked on but Cllr McNamara explained that this section will be different as land acquisition will no longer be on the basis of permissive access agreements.

“It is different from other Greenways built in Mayo where permissive access was used but that is not the case now. Future land acquisitions will be in accordance with the code of best practice for national and regional greenways and this will include financial compensation,” he said, adding that O'Toole & Co Auctioneers have been appointed by Mayo County Council as the valuer for the voluntary land acquisition agreement. These valuations will have to be approved by the TII before Mayo County Council can commence initial negotiations with the landowners.

Cllr McNamara said that there is no doubt that the recently opened Greenway is a great amenity for the local community but stressed it could not have happened without the cooperation of landholders and commonage shareholders.

“We have to respect the landowners because without their cooperation we would have no Greenways at all. We also have to respect the due process and let it take place. Mayo County Council are hoping to enter negotiations in the next six months with the landowners and if it all goes according to plan it will go to tender and construction to start in 2025. But there is a long way to go and full cooperation is required between Mayo County Council, the TII and the landowners before that,” he concluded.