22 JUNE 2016

ICSA rural development chairman Seamus Sherlock has voiced his concerns over the proposed Greenway route from Athlone to Galway. Speaking following the recent announcement by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross that the issue was back on the agenda, Mr Sherlock said “ICSA stands with farmers wishing to protect the integrity of their farms.”

“Mistakes were made in the initial consultation process with landowners. ICSA is calling on the Minister to engage in a new, more thorough consultation process with farmers in order to achieve a consensus on a route that doesn’t involve the destruction of family farms. We believe that alternative routes for the cycle path which would leave farms intact have largely been ignored at County Council and Government level.”

“There is no need for farmers to have to sacrifice their land, privacy and security. I would urge the Minister to use reason and come to a consensus with landowners, without resorting to the threat of Compulsory Purchase Orders. This project, like all tourism projects, needs the support of local communities to succeed.”

ENDS