Mayo greenway -- Funding given for phases 2 & 3

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Good news. Press release from the Department of Transport:

Press Release 12 September 2010
Ministers Dempsey and Cuffe and Fáilte Ireland announce funding for Mayo to complete Great Western Greenway route



The Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey TD, together with Minister of State Ciaran Cuffe T.D. and Fáilte Ireland today announced a joint funding package of €3.5m for Mayo Co. Council to complete the “Great Western Greenway” from Westport to Achill, in Co. Mayo.

The first phase of the Great Western Greenway, an 18km route from Newport to Mulranny, was opened in April 2010. Following the huge success of this first phase a €3.5m funding package has been agreed to complete the Greenway. The initial 18km phase will be extended, from Mulranny to Achill and from Newport to Westport resulting in a 42km route which will loop around scenic Clew Bay, mainly along the line of the old Midland Great Western Railway.

The Department of Transport and Fáilte Ireland are co-funding the project, which has been developed by Mayo County Council. The project is the result of Mayo County Council and local landowners working together, and in partnership with other state agencies and bodies, both to develop the concept of the walking and cycling Greenway and to ensure its delivery. It is expected that the route will be completed in early 2011.

The 18km route from Newport to Mulranny, which opened in April 2010 will be extended by 13km from Mulranny to Achill in the west, and by 11km from Newport to Westport in the south. The resulting 42km off road cycle and walking route will be a world class outdoor attraction, and provide an excellent recreational and transport amenity for locals and visitors alike. Thousands of people have already walked or cycled the initial phase of the route since it opened in April.

Minister Dempsey, who opened the first phase of this route in April, singled out the role of local landowners in ensuring the delivery of this project saying “There are about 160 landowners along this 42km route, and without their generosity and commitment to the idea of a Great Western Greenway, this project would not have seen the light of day.”

He added, “Having cycled the Newport to Mulranny route myself back in April, I saw just how spectacular the route is, and how popular it with people of all ages. Delivering the full 42km route will mean thousands more people will cycle or walk the route, and that even more local businesses will benefit from it.”

Minister Cuffe, who has responsibility for sustainable transport, noted “Given the number of visitors to this area each year, the Greenway will help people from all over Ireland to re-engage with cycling. The route will also show what is possible in terms of delivering high quality cycle routes in Ireland, and I hope that it will act as a stepping stone towards delivering a National Cycle Network throughout Ireland.”

Welcoming the announcement the Cathaoirleach of Mayo Co Council Cllr. Michael Burke said “ This is very welcome news and a very worthwhile investment in the Tourism infrastructure of the county “ County Manager Peter Hynes thanked the Department , Failte Ireland, the landowners and other bodies involved in a project which will help to establish Mayo as a premier walking and cycling destination.

ENDS

Notes for Editors

1. When completed, the Great Western Greenway will be a 42km off road cycle and walking route, from Westport through Newport and Mulranny, to Achill Sound.

2. The route is mainly along the old Midland Great Western Rail line, which was abandoned around 1938, and is now owned by private landowners.

3. The Greenway is being developed by Mayo County Council, along with local landowners. The development of the route is being made possible through the good will of local landowners, who wish to see the route developed as a local amenity and tourist attraction.

4. The first phase of this project, the 18km route from Newport to Mulranny was officially opened in April 2010. Funding of €1.6 million was made available for this first phase, €1.22 million from the Department of Transport, and €160,000 each from both Fáilte Ireland and Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

5. An additional €3.5 million is now being made available to complete the full 42km route. It is expected that the project will be completed in early 2011.

6. Ireland’s First National Cycle Policy Framework <1.http://www.smartertravel.ie/national-cycle-policy-framework>, published in April 2009 targets an increase in cycling mode share from 2% in 2006 to 10% in 2020 and the development of a “culture of cycling”. The National Cycle Policy Framework adopts a multi-facetted approach to developing this new culture of cycling, including through support for key demonstration projects for infrastructure, awareness and education. It also highlights the development of off road rural cycle routes, in the form of a “National Cycle Network” as a necessary step towards this goal.

7. The Great Western Greenway route is part of a national linear cycling route identified for development in Fáilte Ireland's Strategy for the Development of Irish Cycling Tourism and complements the recent development of cycling hubs in Achill and Westport.

8. Westport, Newport, Mulranny and Achill all have schools engaged in the GreenSchools programme, which will benefit from the proximity of this amenity and which will encourage more engagement with walking and cycling as a transport mode.

Phasing of Works

The Greenway project is split into three construction sections. Phase 1 has already been completed in 2009. Commencement of the construction of phases 2 and 3 is proposed in 2010.

Cool. Think I'll try this out if it's finished early next year as planned. Anyone been on the intercity from Heuston to Westport with bikes?

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Dónal wrote: »

Cool. Think I'll try this out if it's finished early next year as planned. Anyone been on the intercity from Heuston to Westport with bikes?

Yes. As with all trains a there's limited space, so try to get to the station early. Going Dublin - Westport, you're best off as you'd be getting on both ways at the start of the journey. A very limited number of trains still have no bike racks, but these are due to be fixed or already have.