Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi all,
Vanilla are planning an update to the site on April 24th (next Wednesday). It is a major PHP8 update which is expected to boost performance across the site. The site will be down from 7pm and it is expected to take about an hour to complete. We appreciate your patience during the update.
Thanks all.

Western Rail Corridor / Rail Trail

Options
1…2627293132…181

Comments

  • Options
    #842
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Sligo eye wrote: »
    A Greenway is not necessary to prevent the railway from being built on.

    All of the track on the WRC is owned by CIE. The Greenway proposal is the latest in a line of proposals made by that Greenway campaigner in Sligo. He started off wanting broadband lines, then Corrib gas as a riposte to Shell to Sea and now a
    Bike route. It’s really about stopping the railway. And development. And tourism.

    What about the rest of us? What's our motivation?


  • Options
    #843
    westtip
    Registered Users Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    Sligo eye wrote: »
    A Greenway is not necessary to prevent the railway from being built on.

    All of the track on the WRC is owned by CIE. The Greenway proposal is the latest in a line of proposals made by that Greenway campaigner in Sligo. He started off wanting broadband lines, then Corrib gas as a riposte to Shell to Sea and now a
    Bike route. It’s really about stopping the railway. And development. And tourism.

    My dear chap, I have no wish to stop the railway, others have already done that.

    For what it is worth me old chum, when it comes to listening to reasoned argument actually old boy, Sligo county council listened to me, not you, which is why they applied for Greenway funding on the closed railway. An Bord Pleanala listened to me not Mayo county council, which is why planning permission is now required for the toy velorail project. hey ho on we go, now make me a promise would you; Please please please, keep taking the pills. I am worried about you:D


  • Options
    #844
    Sligo eye
    Closed Accounts Posts: 168 ✭✭Sligo eye


    westtip wrote: »
    My dear chap, I have no wish to stop the railway, others have already done that.

    For what it is worth me old chum, when it comes to listening to reasoned argument actually old boy, Sligo county council listened to me, not you, which is why they applied for Greenway funding on the closed railway. An Bord Pleanala listened to me not Mayo county council, which is why planning permission is now required for the toy velorail project. hey ho on we go, now make me a promise would you; Please please please, keep taking the pills. I am worried about you:D


    Well whatever you do don’t phone or text me to express your worry! :D


  • Options
    #845
    westtip
    Registered Users Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    Deleted User wrote: »
    What about the rest of us? What's our motivation?

    da cor indeedie, our mutual friend needs to check out the near 25,000 people who have signed the petition for the greenway, but apparently this chap needs to focus his energy on one person.


  • Options
    #846
    Corca Baiscinn
    Registered Users Posts: 643 ✭✭✭Corca Baiscinn


    Sligo eye wrote: »
    A Greenway is not necessary to prevent the railway from being built on.

    All of the track on the WRC is owned by CIE. The Greenway proposal is the latest in a line of proposals made by that Greenway campaigner in Sligo. He started off wanting broadband lines, then Corrib gas as a riposte to Shell to Sea and now a
    Bike route. It’s really about stopping the railway. And development. And tourism.


    You're joking right? Have you checked the tourist numbers on old rail alignments between Waterford and Dungarvan or Westport and Achill? Are you aware that Activity Tourism is the new American Coach Tour as far as Fáilte Ireland is concerned? Dont know who "that Greenway campaigner in Sligo" is but he seems to have rallied the troops as far as Sligo and Quiet Man portions of Greenway are concerned

    Also you say Greenway not necessary to prevent track being built on but who would pay to fence and police an unused non-revenue generating track. with Greenways the responsibility passes from CIE which given their problems maintaining lines with trains running on them must be a relief


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #847
    eastwest
    Registered Users Posts: 1,610 ✭✭✭eastwest


    Sligo eye wrote: »
    Sam Russell wrote: »
    Well, actually, there had to be a new alignment, and the old aligment would allow conversion to metro, but the new alignmen is not suitable. The new alignment is because the old one was not protected.

    Even the bit from the canal to Sandyford had been taken over by adjoining properties and had to be bought back when the Luas was built.

    At least a greenway prevents this.

    A Greenway is not necessary to prevent the railway from being built on.

    All of the track on the WRC is owned by CIE. The Greenway proposal is the latest in a line of proposals made by that Greenway campaigner in Sligo. He started off wanting broadband lines, then Corrib gas as a riposte to Shell to Sea and now a
    Bike route. It’s really about stopping the railway. And development. And tourism.
    A greenway is not necessary to prevent the railway being built on?
    What railway? There is no railway on the route through sligo.


  • Options
    #848
    mayo.mick
    Registered Users Posts: 2,462 ✭✭✭mayo.mick


    https://twitter.com/ColinJohnHogan1/status/1127678427480428545

    Swinford Weather



  • Options
    #849
    mayo.mick
    Registered Users Posts: 2,462 ✭✭✭mayo.mick


    https://www.facebook.com/voteformichaelsmyth/posts/421602291955066

    D6kBnauXoAE-PMe.png

    Swinford Weather



  • Options
    #850
    eastwest
    Registered Users Posts: 1,610 ✭✭✭eastwest


    mayo.mick wrote: »
    https://www.facebook.com/voteformichaelsmyth/posts/421602291955066

    D6kBnauXoAE-PMe.png
    Interesting to see that councillors in mayo are beginning to see the light on this issue. Wot used to have a grip on the executive in mayo (they even apparently hold their meetings in the council offices), and councillors were afraid to support the greenway lobby in case they found doors locked when trying to get potholes fixed.
    The fact that individual councillors have found the courage to oppose that tired narrative shows the groundswell of support for the greenway project.
    There are a lot of realists out there, and they all have a vote. The councillors that recognise that will do well.


  • Options
    #851
    jasper100
    Closed Accounts Posts: 455 ✭✭jasper100


    Corca Baiscinn wrote: »
    You're joking right? Have you checked the tourist numbers on old rail alignments between Waterford and Dungarvan or Westport and Achill? Are you aware that Activity Tourism is the new American Coach Tour as far as Fáilte Ireland is concerned? Dont know who "that Greenway campaigner in Sligo" is but he seems to have rallied the troops as far as Sligo and Quiet Man portions of Greenway are concerned

    Also you say Greenway not necessary to prevent track being built on but who would pay to fence and police an unused non-revenue generating track. with Greenways the responsibility passes from CIE which given their problems maintaining lines with trains running on them must be a relief

    They are build in spectacular locations though. Tourists won't be flocking to use the Tuam greenway.

    Waterfords-Deise-Greenway-Cycling-and-Walking-Trail-Route-Map-and-Guide-Waterford-to-Dungarvan-Railway-Aquaduct-Copper-Coast-Irelands-Ancient-East.jpg


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #852
    Muckyboots
    Closed Accounts Posts: 652 ✭✭✭Muckyboots


    jasper100 wrote: »
    They are build in spectacular locations though. Tourists won't be flocking to use the Tuam greenway.
    There are a number of points of potential interest on the Tuam leg of the Greenway, not least the remaining railway heritage. Anyone who claims to have an interest in railway preservation should be supporting the Quiet Man Greenway and not opposing it. The far-fetched idea of a reopened railway in Tuam would operate out of ghost shell and turnstiles facility further up the tracks according to Irish Rail and the station would remain boarded up.


  • Options
    #853
    westtip
    Registered Users Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    Another East Mayo candidate in the key Swinford Electoral area which the greenway route runs right through has declared he supports the greenway

    Tom Flavin of Swinford made his support known on his facebook page, at last finally East Mayo cllrs listening!


  • Options
    #854
    Grandeeod
    Registered Users Posts: 12,075 ✭✭✭✭Grandeeod


    mayo.mick wrote: »
    https://twitter.com/ColinJohnHogan1/status/1127678427480428545

    He's blocking the feckin track.:D
    jasper100 wrote: »
    They are build in spectacular locations though. Tourists won't be flocking to use the Tuam greenway.

    Waterfords-Deise-Greenway-Cycling-and-Walking-Trail-Route-Map-and-Guide-Waterford-to-Dungarvan-Railway-Aquaduct-Copper-Coast-Irelands-Ancient-East.jpg

    Greenways are about far more than scenery. They are safe and accessible cycling/walking amenities. Certain tourists just want that kind of route through pretty towns and villages. The anti greenway people are doing a disservice to the region by using the "no spectacular scenery" excuse.


  • Options
    #855
    Corca Baiscinn
    Registered Users Posts: 643 ✭✭✭Corca Baiscinn


    jasper100 wrote: »
    They are build in spectacular locations though. Tourists won't be flocking to use the Tuam greenway.]

    Agree they are but scenery is not the only factor of interest to tourists, or at least not all scenery has to be spectacular. There are all kinds of things to observe in nature from trees, wildflowers and shrubs in bloom to birdsong and wildlife plus of course the peace and quiet. Then there is the built environment whether railway or canal bridges, remnants of earlier industry etc.

    I remember Manchan Magan on Marian F a few summers ago re hols in Irl. It was late in the season and the better known places would be full but he mentioned places like the Arigna Mining Experience, Athlone Castle, Lough Boora and so on so all kinds of things can be interesting.

    I remember once doing a double take when 2 Dutch tourists I met told me they loved the flowers in Ireland . I was thinking "Coals to Newcastle" but turns out they meant gorse and heather. you dont have to go to the spectacular West to see and appreciate a field of hawthorn bushes in bloom for eg.

    Cafés, playgrounds etc will also be attractions on the "road less travelled" Greenways imo and many long distance walkers/bike-riders will want a network to go the distance


  • Options
    #856
    Markcheese
    Registered Users Posts: 8,428 ✭✭✭Markcheese


    westtip wrote: »
    Hey you want to see what the IRD in Kiltimagh proposed to Mayo county council as an extension of the idea for the Velorail before it even got up and running - and before it got planning permission ----which it now needs to go and get.

    Attached letter of December 2016 is one of the best yet, motorised velorail carts to run from Kiltimagh to Charlestown, will they not stop at anything to keep those rusting tracks in place! thankfully even Mayo coco turned this mad cap idea down...see attached letter obtained under FOI

    If all these mad cap schemes were being funded privately, and a path left at the side for a greenway I'd have no bother,
    But I'm just thinking what a white elephant these would end up as. Probably closed weekends and Bank holidays..
    Might even need a crossing guard at each road crossing, and gawd only knows what they'd have to do where the route has been "adopted" by some kind hearted neighbour...

    Slava ukraini 🇺🇦



  • Options
    #857
    mayo.mick
    Registered Users Posts: 2,462 ✭✭✭mayo.mick


    mayo.mick wrote: »
    https://www.facebook.com/voteformichaelsmyth/posts/421602291955066

    D6kBnauXoAE-PMe.png

    Another local candidate in Swinford fully behind the greenway

    D6ooY0-W0AIKM_8.jpg

    Swinford Weather



  • Options
    #858
    Muckyboots
    Closed Accounts Posts: 652 ✭✭✭Muckyboots


    mayo.mick wrote: »
    Another local candidate in Swinford fully behind the greenway
    /quote]

    Six years ago there was just one member of Galway Co Co who championed the greenway. Today 13 out of 14 candidates in the Tuam electoral area are proclaiming as pro greenway. You can't stop an idea who's time has arrived. Even in South Mayo.


  • Options
    #859
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Even councillors and the county Council in Leitrim see the possibilities this greenway would bring with it forming part of a loop allowing for a week-long cycle holiday

    Greenway must be made a priority for north Leitrim to attract EU tourists

    https://www.leitrimobserver.ie/news/local-news/417069/greenway-must-be-made-a-priority-for-north-leitrim-to-attract-eu-tourists.html

    North Leitrim needs a flagship project and the Sligo Leitrim Northern Counties Railway (SLNCR) Greenway is the perfect fit.

    Fine Gael Cllr Sean McDermott has made a passionate plea for Leitrim County Council to prioritise the proposed greenway from Sligo to Enniskillen to promote the rugged landscape of north Leitrim.

    Cllr McDermott said he didn’t have “sour grapes” but he counted the Shannon Erne canal and the Blueway as massive tourism drivers for south Leitrim.

    He said the north of the county needs a greenway and he said cycleways and walkways are a massive draw for European tourists.

    “In Germany they have 70,000kms of cycleways - we are not at the races,” he said, claiming 20 million Europeans are looking for cycle holidays.

    He announced the greenway “could be a game changer” for the county as well as small towns and villages along it.

    “They are not coming to Ireland because we don't have enough greenways and the existing greenways are not connected,” he said.

    “It is well known that to attract tourists for cycling holidays on greenways you would need to have 600km of a greenway for a week of cycling,” he added.

    Sean believes one of the proposed greenways looping Dublin to Dublin would have great potential of attracting tourists into the north west.

    That proposed greenway starts in Dublin takes in Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Dromahair, Manorhamilton, Glenfarne, Enniskillen, Kingscourt, Boyne Valley and back to Dublin.
    He said the SLNCR cycleway would have the added cross-border interest.

    Cllr Caillian Ellis supported this and noted “we are not doing enough for tourism in Leitrim.”
    He also said magnificent walks and drives around the county are not being promoted enough.

    Cllr Felim Gurn said an economic study on the SLNCR greenway found it to be viable and it has support in Northern Ireland.

    He told council members “The entire project would cost €20m but we are hoping to get over €600,000 in June.”

    Leitrim County Council said the SLNCR Greenway is a priority for the council.
    “In order to advance the 58km in Sligo, Leitrim and Cavan an application seeking developmental costs of €635,000 was submitted and we are hopeful of funding in June.”

    Cllr Gurn said this “is the game changer to keep communities alive.”

    Cllr Brendan Barry supported this too and said hopefully the walkway could link to the Breffni Way and others in Leitrim.

    Cllr Padraig Fallon said the project has “massive potential.”

    Cllr McDermott also welcomed the new self catering accommodation called W8 in Manorhamilton and said if this greenway proceeded more bed nights would be created locally as well as other tourism businesses.


  • Options
    #860
    Scarlet42
    Registered Users Posts: 446 ✭✭Scarlet42


    westtip wrote: »
    Hey you want to see what the IRD in Kiltimagh proposed to Mayo county council as an extension of the idea for the Velorail before it even got up and running - and before it got planning permission ----which it now needs to go and get.

    Attached letter of December 2016 is one of the best yet, motorised velorail carts to run from Kiltimagh to Charlestown, will they not stop at anything to keep those rusting tracks in place! thankfully even Mayo coco turned this mad cap idea down...see attached letter obtained under FOI

    eh .. its a train ... he's talking about a train!


  • Options
    #861
    Muckyboots
    Closed Accounts Posts: 652 ✭✭✭Muckyboots


    Scarlet42 wrote: »
    eh .. its a train ... he's talking about a train!
    Not any old train. A train you drive yourself.... Yee haw !


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #862
    Isambard
    Registered Users Posts: 5,796 ✭✭✭Isambard


    would they need another line to go to Kiltimagh from Charlestown?


  • Options
    #863
    CatInABox
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,232 Mod ✭✭✭✭CatInABox


    Don't understand how people could say that the country down along the line isn't beautiful, there's loads of potential down there.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yP6Me4JtyfY


  • Options
    #864
    westtip
    Registered Users Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    Isambard wrote: »
    would they need another line to go to Kiltimagh from Charlestown?

    It will present a problem at the N5, but they probably intended double tracking it with another rusty railway, they can get one from their more forward thinking colleageus in Sligo coco who are intent on taking up the closed railway and protecting the route in public ownership with a greenway. Anyway the KM Velorail is on hold until they get planning permission from their mates in MCC mind you if they don't put a safety track/greenway in alongside the whole thing will go back to ABP!!!


  • Options
    #865
    Isambard
    Registered Users Posts: 5,796 ✭✭✭Isambard


    it won't last a year even if it is built, for all the reasons that they say a Greenway won't be popular.

    Thing is, people won't pay to use the Velorail which will involve costs for maintenance Insurance wages etc whereas a Greenway's costs will be negligible or nil.


  • Options
    #866
    Sam Russell
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 19,362 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sam Russell


    Isambard wrote: »
    it won't last a year even if it is built, for all the reasons that they say a Greenway won't be popular.

    Thing is, people won't pay to use the Velorail which will involve costs for maintenance Insurance wages etc whereas a Greenway's costs will be negligible or nil.

    There are so many problems with a Veleorail project on a single track rail line that it just smacks of a joke taken seriously by some politicians. How do the vehicles pass each other? What happens if there is a problem on the track, like a derailment? How do emergency vehicles get to the stranded punters?

    Remember the Gondolas that were going to be introduced in Mullingar on the Royal Canal , until some councilor pointed out that someone would have to feed them. The councilor was serious, but was seen as a joker and laughed out of it. It spawned a TV programme.

    This velorail project has to be taken as a joke. Do it as quadricycles for hire on the greenway and they might have something.


  • Options
    #867
    westtip
    Registered Users Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    Sam Russell wrote: »
    There are so many problems with a Veleorail project on a single track rail line that it just smacks of a joke taken seriously by some politicians. How do the vehicles pass each other? What happens if there is a problem on the track, like a derailment? How do emergency vehicles get to the stranded punters?

    .

    Yep the emergency issue is right up there which is why a parallel greenway on this section of the route being used for velorail is essential and will need to be part of the planning permission. I shouldn't get to wound up on the velorail though, they can do sweet fanny adam about it until they get full planning permission for it thanks to the decision by ABP. For the time being that parrot is dead.


  • Options
    #868
    whisky_galore
    Registered Users Posts: 15,737 ✭✭✭✭whisky_galore


    Isambard wrote: »
    it won't last a year even if it is built, for all the reasons that they say a Greenway won't be popular.

    Thing is, people won't pay to use the Velorail which will involve costs for maintenance Insurance wages etc whereas a Greenway's costs will be negligible or nil.

    The fallacy that greenways don't cost anything to upkeep.

    Not sold on velorail either, people here will find all sorts of ways to fall off, injure themselves and then run off bawling to their solicitor. That's why venues in the leisure sector are looking at closing down.


  • Options
    #869
    Isambard
    Registered Users Posts: 5,796 ✭✭✭Isambard


    whisky_galore wrote: »
    The fallacy that greenways don't cost anything to upkeep.

    Not sold on velorail either, people here will find all sorts of ways to fall off, injure themselves and then run off bawling to their solicitor. That's why venues in the leisure sector are looking at closing down.

    the cost per annum would be neglible or nil, same as any other footpath or cyclepath.


  • Options
    #870
    Del.Monte
    Registered Users Posts: 12,363 ✭✭✭✭Del.Monte


    Isambard wrote: »
    the cost per annum would be neglible or nil, same as any other footpath or cyclepath.

    Righty, the miles of hedges, trees etc. will maintain themselves and the tarmac surfaces will not degrade with the passage of time. I'm sure that there's all sorts of ancillary furniture, fences, gates etc. that will similarly look after themselves.:rolleyes:

    ****



  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #871
    Sam Russell
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 19,362 Mod ✭✭✭✭Sam Russell


    Del.Monte wrote: »
    Righty, the miles of hedges, trees etc. will maintain themselves and the tarmac surfaces will not degrade with the passage of time. I'm sure that there's all sorts of ancillary furniture, fences, gates etc. that will similarly look after themselves.:rolleyes:

    Well, there will need to be maintenance but at the level of a footpath, not a railway.


Advertisement