Part of Murrisk Greenway closed off.

My sister rang about an hour ago and told me that a part of the Murrisk Greenway outside Westport has been closed off with gates erected and signs saying 'no access'. Is it a dispute between Mayo County Council and the land owner in question maybe? Bizarre that this should happen now as the current section closed off had been opne for quite some considerable time.

Picture of the section blocked off. 2 gates in evidence. Would want to be sorted soon if its a dispute over right of access. Tourist season isn’t far away. Would be a tad embarassing if its not resolved by then.

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120566994#Comment_120566994

is that an access road crossing the greenway? Something similar happened on the new Fenit greenway recently and Kerry CoCo were quick enough to sort it, after all the money being spent etc. Mayo could be different though, have the impression they aren't bothered about stuff like this.

Are you sure though that those gates are not just closed temporarily across the route, to move stock across and someone forgot to reopen. The no entry signs might apply to the access road crossing?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120567128#Comment_120567128

No. I believe the gates were erected just recently. They’re locked as well i believe. My sister took the photos. Heres another photo looking the other way. In the background is the Westport to Louisburgh road. The greenway goes to the road and then heads off to the right in the Louisburgh direction. These gates have made a right mess of the whole thing.

Furze99

Well locks would be telling but hard to see. As it is, that gate there could be swung across and the no entry would refer to the presumably private road/ track. There's a thread on greenways here, why don't you also post there.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120567436#Comment_120567436

Cheers. Found that forum and have posted over there.

News article about this now on the Midwest radio news website.

https://www.midwestradio.ie/index.php/news/66958-users-of-the-murrisk-greenway-faced-with-new-gates-blocking-access

yop

Still there. Went up over night on that weekend. Unfortunately promises made to the landowner by "council of the year" weren't fulfilled. Those gates were already in place and closed off one part of the owners land from the other.

yop

The land owners shed is been built. So hopefully gates removed

Mickeroo

The council are giving them a shed to get the gates opened (presumably they were promised this to begin with to allow the track through their land) or the gates were just closed while there was construction going on for safety?

yop

Council did what the council do, promised and didn't deliver.

He gated it in protest. Now amazing that the council remember they owed him a shed

muddle84

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120769910#Comment_120769910

Numerous examples of that happening all along the greenway since it opened. I'd say the council didn't realise the bargaining chip they were giving the landowners by not taking the land into ownership!!

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120769910#Comment_120769910

Shed practically built now I believe, but the gates are still there.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120871840#Comment_120871840

Still blocked off I believe. Crazy that this has dragged on for so long.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121246753#Comment_121246753

Down on holiday for a few days so took a walk back to see what was happening. Shed now built but the gates are still up. Why this hasn’t been resolved at this stage is a bit of a mystery.

yop

Owners built the shed in the end. Unfortunately other circumstances now means it could be a long time before anything happens

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121605130#Comment_121605130

Other issues have arisen? Apparently the fitter members of society are hopping over the low (ish) fence at the side of the gates and continuing on their merry way.