Greenway vote goes to wire as councillors make up minds

WITH only days to go before a vote is taken on whether to seek funding for a feasibility study into a greenway linking Tuam to Athenry and Milltown, several councillors are unwilling to declare their support for the project.

Cllr Shaun Cunniffe’s proposal seeks €30,000 to be secured from the exchequer, which would rid the council of any financial obligations, but includes the stipulation that the study be drawn up and approved with the expertise of Galway County Council.
Earlier this year a similar vote in Galway County Council was defeated when the then Cathaoirleach Cllr Michael Connolly used his casting vote to reject the proposal, after the vote was split 16 in favour and 16 against.
However, a sustained campaign in the Tuam region in recent months has sought to convince those opposed to the project to reconsider the matter before a new vote takes place at the September council meeting next Monday.
The Tuam Herald has contacted the nine members of the Tuam Municipal District Council, along with Athenry/Oranmore MDC’s seven members to see what their voting intentions are.
Of Tuam’s nine members, five are now in favour of the plan, with Fine Gael councillor Peter Keaveney deciding to support the motion, having abstained from the last vote.

Read more on this story in this week's edition of The Tuam Herald