Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 November 2020
51. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport his views on a Castlemaine Harbour cycle route from Glenbeigh to Annascaul; if the appropriate persons in his Department will engage with this Deputy with a view to establishing a plan for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35800/20]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the approach adopted by my Department in relation to greenways has been to work closely with local authorities in supporting their development.
In that regard I am not aware of any proposal from Kerry County Council in relation to this particular route and would note that no such proposal was submitted by the Council earlier this year as part of the funding call organised under the Carbon Tax Fund.
I would therefore encourage project promoters to engage with the local authority in the first instance and indeed local communities, landowners and business owners along any potential route to ensure that there is as much community support as possible for their project.
The Deputy may wish to be aware that it is my view that greenways in rural areas should seek to serve the active travel needs of local communities in addition to potential tourists and therefore any proposal should seek to integrate its route with town and village centres and thereby facilitate local trips to schools, work and leisure where possible.
I would encourage the project promoters to consider the points raised, and in particular their engagement with the local authority, and consider how best to take the proposal forward. Once those steps have been completed my Department would be happy to engage with the Deputy on the matter.
