Galway to Roscommon Greenway paused due to concerns

Work on the Galway to Roscommon cycle greenway has been paused amid concerns about the effects of the project on farming.

The Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe has said his department will now focus on completing the stretch from Maynooth to Westmeath, through Kildare and Meath, which has planning permission in place.

A report by Transport Infrastructure Ireland outlined a number of concerns from farmers and landowners.

Many relate to potential impacts on farmland and on farming operations.

The Department of Transport has said the project is “shovel ready” but has been stopped due to funding limitations and eagerness to deliver the Dublin to Galway Greenway.

Minister for Transport Pascal Donohoe has said he made the decision to pause a part of the project in order to consider a new route that may work better locally and has the support of key landowners.

Despite this, Mr Donohoe said the Greenway is an essential tourist attraction that should be developed and will attract touring cyclists to Ireland.