You may recall signing the petition for the Western Rail Trail asking for a Greenway from Sligo to Athenry on the closed railway route.  We have not been in touch for a while so thought it time to give a quick update.

Firstly great news in Sligo!   Sligo county council are fully on board for the Sligo section of the Greenway and are now working closely with the Department of Transport and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to get to the final stages of planning approval for stage one of the Western Rail Trail from Collooney County Sligo to the Sligo/Mayo border at Bellaghy/Charlestown

Mayo:  The East Mayo Greenway group are working hard to raise awareness of the campaign but continue to run into problems with Mayo County Council who simply will not accept the idea of a greenway on the closed for 50 years now railway.   However, the next big news in Mayo will be the publication of the Strategic Rail Review, which should finally determine the future of the closed railway north of Claremorris.  We hope this will once and for all resolve the issues about north of Claremorris with Mayo county council.

Galway.  The Quiet Man Greenway Group have heard that Galway county council are working on a feasibility study for the Galway section of the Greenway but we are waiting to hear the news on this.  As in Mayo the publication of the Rail Strategy will be important.  The latest political indications are the rail strategy may decide in favour of eventually re-opening the railway, however that could be decades away from now we will continue with the mantra.  Greenway now Railway when we can afford and then Railway with Greenway alongside.

What can you do:  Keep raising this issue with your local politicians; TDs and Councillors we must keep our message going.  Hard work I know but lets make the progress in Sligo our inspiration!  Finally, Keep an eye on the various Facebook groups supporting the campaign.

Regards

Brendan

Western Rail Trail Campaign.