Mayo landowners express strong opposition to Greenway going through their land

LANDOWNERS living along the preferred route of the Greenway from Westport to Murrisk have told local councillors that they will not allow the Greenway through their land.

A large number of landowners living along the preferred route Greenway route linking Belclare to Murrisk held a public meeting last night where they reiterated their strong opposition to the Greenway going through their land.

The four local councillors – Peter Flynn (FG), Brendan Mulroy (FF) and the two Independents Christy Hyland and John O'Malley – were all in attendance and told that the preferred route option will not be supported.

The meeting was chaired by local landowner, Peter Shanley, who told the meeting that the public consultation event organised by Mayo County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) which took place last week was 'insulting' and claimed there has never been any discussion with landowners.

“What we saw last week was not consultation, it was more like Duffy's circus, it was just a road show and a joke and insulting.

“This is not consultation, this is bulldozer bureaucracy and Stalinism where they decide they will do something and say it is for your benefit. They are not doing it for us. It will not benefit this community so let's get that straight.

“They are not consulting, they come in with the jackboot and tell us they are going to take the land from us. That is not consultation,” he said.

Mr Shanley said as far as he and the local landowners were concerned the best option would be to upgrade the roadway from Westport to Murrisk and incorporate a Greenway along it.

“We are all in favour of a greenway make no mistake about that but we want it down along the main road where it is already partially built. The main beneficiary will be the community because we will have a better road with a walkway cycleway beside it,” he told the meeting which took place in Cronin's Sheebeen Pub & Restaurant in Rosbeg, Westport.

The preferred route option will see the Greenway from Westport go off-road via the townlands of Cloonagh, Kiladangan and Deerkpark towards Murrisk and will cut through land at the foot of Croagh Patrick.

Landowners told the meeting they were opposed to allowing their strips of land being cut in two while there were also concerns regarding the Greenway going through a flood plain.

Mr Shanley asked the local councillors who decided to put a greenway through people's land and if they would support the landowners in opposing the preferred route option

Cllr Flynn told the meeting that none of the councillors had any 'hand act or part' in deciding the route and will have no part in any of the process. He explained that the preferred route would be his preferred option but advised the landowners to sit down with the engineers and consultants and point out their concerns.

Cllr Hyland advised the landowners to form a committee and engage in the process with the engineers.

Local Independent election candidate, Chris Maxwell told the meeting that there was no commonsense in bringing the greenway through people's land and said it should be brought along the sea.

Cllr Mulroy said it was clear that the landowners were against the preferred route and that they should have been consulted with in the beginning.

“The last thing we need is division and I see people who are emotional. We need to be united going forward and anything we can do to make that greenway happen we will do but it will be on your terms,” he said.

Cllr John O'Malley said he was 100 percent behind the landowners in opposing the Greenway as he understands the feelings farmers have for their land.

“I tell you we are not going to let this greenway go through and spoil the lovely village that is tranquil and quiet. It is not right that anyone should come in and infringe on anyone else's land. If someone comes down and tries to come through our land well I tell you something you will never see a war in Ukraine like it and that is for sure. It won't happen,” he said.

Cllr O'Malley also challenged the other councillors to say they will vote against the route if it comes before the council for approval. However, Cllr Flynn said that it is likely the project will go before An Bord Pleanála for approval and they will have no say.