Farmers group want cost benefits analysis on greenway funding

THE Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) has raised concerns around the ongoing funding of the greenway programme.

They want a cost benefit analysis on the programme before any new projects proceed, saying greenways could be 'running out of steam'.

INHFA vice-president John Joe Fitzgerald questioned the commitment by government to spend €360 million per year in providing walk and cycle ways, with greenways being a prominent element of this.

With councils encouraged to expand existing greenways and develop new ones, it is, stated Fitzgerald, 'reasonable to ask who is going to be using them especially when we see the dramatic fall in numbers on prominent greenways such as the Great Western Greenway in Mayo'.

“While hotel availability has been cited as a possible factor in the falling numbers, we should also recognise that there is a ceiling on the number of people that will partake in this activity and consequently the offering should acknowledge this fact,” he said.

Mr. Fitzgerald continued: “It is vital that the government recognise that their greenway ambitions could be running out of steam and maybe the funding allocated here could deliver better outcomes if spent on our national road network or other projects.

“On this basis we are asking that the government carries out a cost benefit analysis on the greenway programme prior to the start-up of any new projects.”

The INHFA leader also expressed reservations around the approach taken by some councils when looking to acquire land for greenways.

CPOs, he said, should never be used for greenways as they are not a critical infrastructure.

He detailed the need for 'active ongoing engagement' in developing projects.