New Greenway route through west Mayo town to go over historic railway viaduct

THE proposed new route of the Great Western Greenway through Newport will cross over the historic railway viaduct in the west Mayo town.

Mayo County Council released details of the proposed route for the off-road greenway through Newport as part of the Part 8 planning process to allow the public the opportunity to make submissions on the project.

The new proposed 1.1km route will see the development of a new 3-4 metre wide greenway through Newport town to link up with the existing Great Western Greenway.

The development will see the realignment of the N59 along Medlicott Street with an improved segregated greenway as well as the construction of a four-metre-wide greenway ramp leading up to the Newport railway viaduct where the greenway will cross the Newport River.

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The 19th century seven-arch railway viaduct over the river dominates the town, giving it a distinct character. It is currently in use as a pedestrian walkway and it is not proposed to alter this structure as part of the new development.

The route then crosses Castlebar Street and carries on a segregated route through the car park, west of the old railway station and east of the oratory to the iron bridge. The Greenway then goes through the ‘chalet’ site east of the inhabited dwelling to link to the pedestrian crossing across the N59 on the Mulranny Road.

The proposed development is described as the 'key missing link' of the 42km Great Western Greenway as the current route goes through Main Street and is considered dangerous for cyclists as it is not segregated from traffic.

As well as the development of the new greenway route, it is proposed to improve safety along Medlicott Street and introduce formalised parking as well as upgrade the junction with L-1401 Fahy Road, and enhance public realm spaces.

There will also be upgrades to Castlebar Street, including the introduction of formalised parking and new footpath infrastructure and new car parking facilities near Barrack Hill, with convenient pedestrian access to the main street.

Public realm improvements are also planned in the vicinity of the old train station, and the provision of supporting infrastructure to enhance the greenway experience, such as bicycle parking, additional car parking, trailhead facilities, rest areas, and public toilets.

Land acquisition will be required to construct the greenway through Newport with Mayo County Council stating in the planning report that this is proposed to be done by agreement.

The council also stated that the construction phase of the scheme is likely to take approximately nine months and this will be carried out on a phased basis so that traffic disruption is kept to a minimum.

The public have until August 7 to make submissions on the proposed development and if the plan is deemed acceptable it will then come before the councillors in the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District for formal approval.

Westport-based councillor Peter Flynn welcomed the progress made on the project and thanked the local community for their support in facilitating it to date.

“A massive thanks must go to landowners along the proposed route, local community leaders who facilitated discussions with various parties and the Council/TII project team who worked with all of the stakeholders to ensure the route won't now have to interact with the busy N59,” he wrote on his Facebook page.

Cllr Flynn did lament that the proposed route did not include access to the old railway tunnels on the Westport side of Newport but added 'maybe this can happen another time'.