New Mayo greenway proposal 'causing alarm' in community

The greenway between Westport to Louisburgh is causing alarm and frustration to people along its proposed route.

Back in September, Mayo County Council announced two possible greenway routes linking Belclare to Murrisk.

Option 1: Improving the existing greenway running alongside the main road.

Option 2: Constructing an entirely new seven-metre-wide cycle path through the countryside to the south of the main road up through Brackloon and through the foothills of Croagh Patrick to Murrisk.

According to local independent election candidate Chris Maxwell, the option two route has angered many residents as it will cut through farms, gardens, floodplain, ancient woodlands and commonages.

He elaborated: "As a local election candidate I will be advocating very strongly for option one. This route runs alongside, but separate, from the R335 - the main road connecting Westport and Louisburgh.

"This road is dangerously inadequate in places. Improved safety for all its users, drivers, pedestrians and cyclists should be its priority.

“Where public money is being invested in infrastructure, surely it must be the first imperative that the resources being allocated deliver the most benefits to the highest number of people, most cost effectively.

"Why build a new seven-metre-wide road for cyclists when the existing road to Louisburgh and Killeen is in dire need of upgrading?

"While the new water scheme from Westport to Murrisk and Kilsallagh is being undertaken along with all the fibre optic works, Mayo County Council should seize the opportunity provided by option one to deliver a road of equal standard as that of the road connecting Newport to Westport, all the way to Louisburgh, Killeen and Roonagh.

“One of the greatest benefits of option one could be to deliver this improved road infrastructure, using public funding wisely, thus resulting in more economic opportunities to our communities living further west with increased connectivity to the east."