NOW is the time to have a complete reappraisal of the Athlone to Galway Greenway Plan following the revelation that the consultants behind the project have ‘pulled out’.

A Galway IFA representative and a local councillor said ‘the time was right’ for the local authorities to have ‘another look’ at the whole Greenway strategy on the basis that there was ‘a better way’ to do the job.

Last week, it was confirmed by Westmeath County Council – the lead local authority on the project – that RPS Consultants had withdrawn from the project on the basis that it was no longer viable. Galway IFA Chair, Stephen Canavan, said that the project now needed to be looked at from a more practical viewpoint to help link villages and communities across Galway.

“This whole idea of a virgin route going through isolated areas will not serve local communities across Galway. Over recent years we have seen very good examples of walkways and cycleways, alongside roadways, that have proved to be a great addition to communities.

“This whole concept has to be relooked at. I believe that there are better – and more efficient ways – of spending this Greenway funding which will be of real benefit to communities, villages and towns across Galway,” said Stephen Canavan.

Tuam Area councillor, Pete Roche, said that the pedestrian and cycle path linking Abbeyknockmoy village to Brooklodge was an excellent example of an amenity which was both cost effective and of tremendous benefit to the local community.

Pictured: Galway IFA Chair, Stephen Canavan