Land for Mayo greenways will be subject to CPO if no agreement

TRANSPORT Infrastructure Ireland (TII) will not fund a greenway project through the construction phase unless the land is owned by Mayo County Council.

The clarity was given in a report to elected members, where a Westport councillor said land being taken by CPO for greenways is 'morally wrong'.

A lengthy report, issued in response to a notice of motion from Councillor Peter Flynn, set out how TII will not fund a greenway project that does not provide value for money, is not designed to standard, and has not completed the necessary road safety audits.

The land must also be owned by the local authority.

The implications for the proposed Belclare-Murrisk greenway were clear as a result, noted Councillor Brendan Mulroy: If land owners don't agree to sell, it will be taken by CPO.

This, commented Councillor Mulroy, was not the way to do your business.

“Bring on the war,” he said, because there will be war.

Councillor Mulroy again asked what is wrong with going along the road, which would give a greenway and you could also get a new road, which Louisburgh needs.

The point was made by Councillor Johnny O'Malley that it is against the Constitution to CPO property for 'non-essential purposes' and that would be brought to the forefront.

It was immoral and won't be tolerated, he said.

These people don't realise the connection with the land, and people won't give it up easily.

Everyone wanted the greenway but TII have made a disaster of it from the beginning, commented Councillor Chris Maxwell.

If it's taxpayer money funding TII's 'vanity project' across Croagh Patrick, that money could be given to the council to plough into the road with a cycleway along it out to Roonagh, as you saw in other parts of the country, he suggested.

Councillor Flynn said greenways now come under national legislation and policy and those are the rules. Whether you agree or disagree, that is what you are dealing with.

It would be regrettable for Mayo if the greenway programe goes into the bin, he said.