Murrisk Greenway route 'totally unsuitable' say Mayo IFA

A Mayo IFA meeting of landowners on the proposed Westport to Murrisk Greenway heard that the emerging preferred route corridor is totally unsuitable for a Greenway project.

Mayo IFA held a meeting on the proposed Greenway route in Lecanvey Community Centre where farmers and landowners were highly critical of Mayo County Council who they claim are trying to impose a Greenway without taking on board the views of the farming and local rural community.

IFA’s Agricultural Consultant Kevin Kinsella on Greenway projects who addressed the meeting said this approach by Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Mayo County Council is contrary to the

Government 2018 Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways.

“The Strategy was clear in stating that the preferred model for future Greenways is to use lands already in the undisputed ownership or control of the State, either through government agencies, government departments or Local Authorities,” he commented.

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Mr Kinsella said IFA have been and continue to be totally opposed to the CPO process with specific relation to Greenway developments.

“Greenways should maximise the use of state-owned lands period and should not involve CPO’s as in many citizens' minds Greenway developments are not critical infrastructure,” he added.

Mayo IFA County Chairman John Lynskey told the meeting that attempting to impose a Greenway on private farmlands is unacceptable to the IFA and farmers.

“It creates major disruption in terms of severance and could destroy the viability of many farms,” he said.

Mr Lynskey said it was quite clear from this and previous meetings of landowners in the area that Mayo County Council should redevelop the main road between Westport and Louisburgh to encompass a greenway alongside the road.

Mr Lynskey said this would be a much better investment of public funds and would in his opinion serve the local people much better.

The meeting also heard from farmers and landowners very concerned over the disease risk and implications for their livestock herds from infrastructural projects such as Greenways, especially in relation to the increased threat from TB, the loss of privacy, security, increased litter and environmental concerns.

The meeting was also attended by local county councillors Brendan Mulroy, Chris Maxwell and Johnny O’ Malley who lent their support for the development of a roadside Greenway.