Minister voices support for Sligo greenway extension into Mayo

TRANSPORT Minister Eamon Ryan has endorsed the development of the Sligo greenway to the Mayo border, and onwards from Charlestown to Claremorris.

At a meeting in Sligo on Friday, he indicated the line would be protected for future generations for possible rail use, if needed.

Minister Ryan met with members of Sligo County Council and officials on Friday where he fully endorsed the development of the SLNCR Greenway from Enniskillen to Collooney and the Sligo Greenway from Collooney to Bellaghy, on the Mayo border, while also pledging his support for the extension of the Sligo greenway from Charlestown to Claremorris.

Minister Ryan said the greenway will strategically connect north and south to develop a 100km greenway for the northwest.

Extending the greenway further on to Claremorris will add another 33km, making it one of the longest greenways in the country.

He also stated that there will be no new railway line north of Claremorris in the medium term, however the line will be protected for future generations should there be need economically or population wise for a railway line in the future.

The leas-cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Councillor Marie Casserly, welcomed this 'positive development'.

She stated: “Now we can finally compete with greenways in the south of the country and locals and visitors alike will benefit hugely from this investment in infrastructure for decades to come.

“In addition, the development of a 133 km greenway from Claremorris to Enniskillen will protect the route in public ownership, ensuring that its potential use for rail is always an option in the future.”