It’s time to get on the right track

ONE of the more interesting innovations in Irish tourism in recent years has been the development of abandoned railway lines as greenways for cyclists and walkers, helping to make ecotourism a key niche market.

The idea seems a win-win for everyone concerned, unlocking large stretches of hidden countryside and attracting visitors to remote areas.

As the owner of disused lines, CIE is generally supporting greenways. But not everyone does. Farmers claiming rights along the lines are sternly opposing such a project in north Kerry. Where such facilities are developed, the story is usually one of success. The Great Western Greenway, which runs from Westport to Achill, Co Mayo, generates over €7m for the local economy annually and has created 40 jobs.

A feasibility study is being carried out on a proposal to create a 26km cycleway between Glenbeigh and Reenard, on the Ring of Kerry. This old railway line ran through some Ireland’s most spectacular Atlantic and mountain scenery and the cycleway will be a true gem if it comes to fruition.

In West Cork, there are ambitious plans to reopen large sections of the old railway line, including the run from Cork to Kinsale and Ballinscarthy to Courtmacsherry.

Fáilte Ireland has singled out four areas nationally for cycleways. Planning approval has been given for routes in Galway and Mayo, both complementing greenways, and Donegal. But, astonishingly, An Bord Pleanála has turned down similar plans for the Dingle Peninsula. A 28km stretch of the Tralee to Dingle road had been crying out for improvement for years and it was to have been upgraded, with a cycleway separated by a grass margin to run alongside.

I know the road very well. It’s dangerous and badly needs safety measures. The proposed works would have been of huge benefit to local people that use it every day, some of whom even took their case for upgrading to the EU in Brussels.

In refusing permission for it, An Bord Pleanála said the width of the road would seriously take from the tourism value and local amenities. Most others, including Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar, would disagree.

The little damage that careful road widening would do would have scarcely any impact on the wider magnificence of the scenery. There are millions of people in Europe who regularly take cycling holidays. If proper facilities were provided here, they would come in their tens of thousands.