Farmers voice concerns over Mayo greenway proposal at meeting with IFA

An IFA meeting of landowners on the proposed Westport to Louisburgh greenway held in Lecanvey Community Centre this week heard that the emerging preferred route corridor put forward by Mayo County Council is totally unsuitable for a greenway project.

Farmers and landowners were critical that the views of the farming and local rural community were not taken on board.

IFA’s agricultural consultant on greenway projects, Kevin Kinsella, who addressed the meeting, said the approach being taken is contrary to the Government 2018 Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways. The strategy, he said, is clear in stating that 'the preferred model for future greenways is to use lands already in the undisputed ownership or control of the State, either through Government Agencies, Government Departments or Local Authorities'.

Mr. Kinsella said IFA have been and continue to be totally opposed to the CPO process with specific relation to greenway developments.

Greenways should maximise the use of state-owned lands period and should not involve CPOs, as in many citizens minds greenway developments are not critical infrastructure.

Mayo IFA county chairman John Lynskey told the meeting that attempting to impose a greenway on private farmlands is 'unacceptable' to the IFA and farmers. It creates major disruption in terms of severance and could destroy the viability of many farms, he stated.

Mr. Lynskey said it was clear from this and previous meetings of landowners in the area that Mayo County Council should redevelop the main road between Westport and Louisburgh to encompass a greenway alongside the road. This, he felt, would be a much better investment of public funds and would in his opinion serve the local people much better.

The meeting also heard from farmers and landowners very concerned over the disease risk and implications for their livestock herds from infrastructural projects such as greenways, especially in relation to the increased threat from TB, the loss of privacy, security, increased litter and environmental concerns.

The meeting was also attended by local councillors Brendan Mulroy, Chris Maxwell and Johnny O’Malley who lent their support for the development of a roadside greenway.