Residents object to Ballina-Killala greenway route

Belleek Woods, which is on the Ballina side of the greenway route
Belleek Woods, which is on the Ballina side of the greenway route

A large number of residents in north Mayo are objecting to a planned greenway between Ballina to Killala, according to local media.

The project dubbed “Monasteries of the Moy” greenway was allocated €250,000 of a batch of €10m funding for greenways and on-road cycle routes across Ireland which was announced before the local elections.

Yesterday, a local newspaper, the Western People (behind paywall), reported that 80 submissions of objection had been filed against the project.

On a front page story, the newspaper quoted local resident Tommy Peyton as saying: “No farmer is going to let them [Mayo Co Council] inside the the ditch.” He said there had been a lack of consultation.

The council said that if the part 8 planning process for the project is not approved that national funding for the project will be lost. It said there would be further planning stages for the sections of the route which crosses private lands.

The 15.8 km route is part of Mayo County Council’s plan to have linked greenways between Killala, Ballian, Foxford, Castlebar, Westport and the Co Galway, which would link with a greenway being planned by Galway County Council and to the Great Western Greenway at Westport. As part of this a 9 km greenway between Castlebar and the National Museum of Country Life, Turlough, Co Mayo is set to open “in the near future”. 

Mayo County Council describes the Killala-Ballina project as a pathway “3 to 4 metre wide, finished with a crushed limestone surface. The works will include fencing, gateways, culverts, drainage, signage and all associated siteworks.”

Submissions can be made in writing Mary Gordon, SSO, Ballina Civic Offices, Arran Place, Ballina, not later than 4pm on the July 31, 2014. Maps and an Ecological Impact Assessment can be downloaded on Mayo County Council’s website.

3 comments

  1. Of course they cannot see the Wood for the trees, think small and they will remain small. There is a huge Tourism potential to the area by bringing Cyclists from many Lands including Ireland to the area. Even if they do not stay in the area they will need food ,and if you will deprive them of safe routes in the locality they will not come to the area again in a hurry.

    If the people are unfriendly Rednecks then they wont visit Mayo,short and simple. Of course you cannot blame people if they are afraid of tourists tramping all over their Land but the Greenway is to be fenced and responsible people will do no harm. There is always irresponsible people whether they like it or not who will come and go no matter what barriers are in their way. This will bring a huge amount of money to the area, the Hotels and B+Bs also the Pubs and Restaurants who are doing very little business at the moment. The Farm Shops will do well too by Tourists buying Produce off them,they could even set up farm Restaurants or Café’s or Campsites on unused Land .

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  2. I think landowners should be a bit more understanding with this. If they are properly compensated I can’t see what’s the problem. There was always a public right of way from the northern end of Belleek woods trough land to the site of Ballina beverages and through what was also known as the Black Woods but over time this right of way has been blocked because it was unchallenged.
    If you look at the green way from Achill to Westport it’s beautifully finished and such an asset to the area. Look at the visitor’s it’s bringing to the area.
    I hope this goes through. I however would object to it going through the woodland in Belleek. I feel there is no need to make changes there to the scare wildlife.
    Route from Killala should be allowed straight up old Killala/Ballina road to north end and right of way that was there since General Humberts landing should be reinstated.

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  3. I would like to see the unused railway lines used as walk and cycle paths. Instead the people on the roads. It would avoid so many accidents, It would make use of disused rail tracts. They have been fenced off in recent years. Such as the SLIGO to CLAREMORRIS . Thank you.

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