Anti-social behaviour fears over River Moy walkway plan

REPRESENTATIONS about plans which include a walkway over the Moy at the Admiral Browne Promenade in Foxford have been submitted to Mayo County Council.

Barony Development Co. Ltd. want to construct a footway leading from the promenade to a proposed walkway which suspends over the river to a footway with paved and landscaped areas along the eastern river bank, with a new public footpath access to the N58.

The developers have been requested by the council to prepare a flood risk assessment and to clarify a number of other queries planners have.

Submissions to the council include landowners' consent to what is proposed and concerns about the devaluation of property, privacy and the risk of anti-social behaviour.

The impact on local fishing, for which Foxford is world-renowned, was also raised, with the walkways curtailing fishing and endangering walkers due to inadequate space to make a safe cast.

The presence and noise of walkers would also cause the fish to be 'spooked' and become too scared to take the fly, it was stated.

It was further submitted that the salmon are known to favour the east site of the river at this point for their journey to the spawning grounds upstream and this proposal would obstruct this passage and remove many favoured lies, resulting in fish not staying in the Foxford area as they have for perpetuity.

Any slight diversion or subtle change in flow angles or levels will affect salmon and move them on, and the area concerned is an important refuge for juvenile salmon and other native species.

It was submitted: "Salmon are susceptible to disturbance and pollution at any stage during their life-cycle. The proposed work would be a serious threat to such an important population of salmon."