IFA concern at land acquisition
Connacht IFA regional chairman Tom Turley told the Connacht Tribune that the compulsory purchase order process should not be used to acquire land and he warned that farms could not be split with the stroke of a pen by the route planners.
He said that while the greenway project had its own merits, it wasn’t one of strategic importance that would necessitate the use of the compulsory purchase order process
“There are a lot of farmers and landowners who are extremely concerned that their farms could be split by this greenway route — this is not something that can be rushed. There must be a full consultation process involved,” said Tom Turley.
He said that many farmers and landowners in the East Galway area had expressed concerns on the implications of the greenway route for their farms following a public consultation meeting in Moore, Roscommon, last Monday night.
“As things stand, the information on this project is far too sketchy for the people that will be affected most by it, namely the landowners and farmers,” said Tom Turley.
The western section of the greenway project — aimed at constructing a coast to coast walkway/cycleway from Dublin to Galway — comes under the remit of the Westmeath, Roscommon, and Galway County Councils, as well as Galway City Council, in conjunction with the Department of Transport and Tourism.
A preferred corridor has been identified for the western section of the greenway that will run from Athlone to Eyre Square via Ballinasloe, Aughrim, Kilreekil, Loughrea, Craughwell, Clarinbridge, and Oranmore.
