Setback for Quiet Man Greenway study

HOPES of developing a greenway between Athenry and Milltown have suffered a further setback after Galway County Councillors rejected a proposal to conduct a feasibility study on the proposal.

The study specific to the Quiet Man Greenway, which would examine the suitability of the disused rail line linking the two towns, through Tuam, was defeated by the narrowest of margins in a vote held after a heated debate in the Chamber on this afternoon and evening (Monday).

Members voted 18 in favour and 17 against a counter motion by Cllr Jimmy McClearn  ‘that Galway County Council seek funding from the Department of Transport for a feasibility study of all options for a greenway in the county to link a national greenway route to include Clifton, Tuam, Athenry, Oranmore, Loughrea, Gort, Ballinasloe, Portumna, Headford, Glenamaddy in what would be a greenway master plan for county’.

A previous motion was passed by 27 votes to 8 in support of a motion by Cllr Donagh Killilea that Galway County Council proceed to give an expression of interest that they wish to apply to the Greenway Strategy Fund for the carrying out of a feasibility study on the establishment of a greenway as a complimentary use of the disused railway alignment between Athenry, Ballyglunin, Tuam, Kilconly, and Milltown and requests that Galway County Council co-ordinate and oversee this process as they do in other parts of the county’.

However, the result of Cllr McClearn's motion was carried.

Several members of The Quiet Man Greenway campaign, which held a rally in Tuam on Sunday, were in the chamber for the debate.

Close to 3,000 people attended the walk from the Cathedral in Tuam to the Shopping Centre, via a section of the disused railway line.