Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
306. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of proposals to instal sections of the proposed Greenway from Athlone to Galway in active, functional farmland which will cause lands to be severed and in one instance destroy 25 acres of existing farmland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28076/23]
View answerThe Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways, sets out that the preferred model for future Greenways is to maximise the use of lands already in State ownership where possible. It also sets out several options for project promoters to use for accessing privately-owned land for Greenways such as permissive access and land purchase.
The Code of Best Practice, published in 2021, provides details on the stages involved in project development, the consultation process, the factors to be considered when choosing a route. It provides details on appropriate types of accommodation works, appropriate levels of payment for land, suitable types of access both for landowners and the public, ways of minimising severance, range of possible mitigation works and mechanisms to minimise disruption and to ensure the smooth and timely delivery of Greenway projects. The Code will facilitate the engagement between local authorities and affected landowners and, in particular, prioritises the voluntary acquisition of lands over the use of compulsory purchase, which is available as a backstop for the acquisition of lands not otherwise acquired by agreement. The Code acknowledges the important role of farmers and landowners in the process. It outlines the procedures to ensure that they are treated fairly and equitably.
The 200km long Galway to Athlone scheme starts near Ballyloughane Beach to the East of Galway City and then proceeds close to or through the following settlement areas: Oranmore, Rinville, Clarinbridge, Kilcolgan, Kinvara, Gort, Woodford, Portumna, Meelick, Clonfert, Ballinasloe, Shannonbridge, and Athlone Castle. It links places of interest, established tourism centres, public parks, and outdoor amenities.
This project, which is being overseen by TII, includes dedicated Local Authority project liaison officers who have been engaging directly with landowners since 2021 in accordance with the Code of Best Practice. They have undertaken well over 1,800 consultations (either face-to-face meetings or telephone calls) with landowners since May 2021. Approximately 100km of the preferred route is situated with state owned lands. A further 100km is situated on lands in private ownership by approximately 450 landowners.
In over 90% of these cases, severance has been avoided as the greenway traverses the permitter of landholdings. In some other cases the greenway traverses along a particular field boundary at the request of the landowner. In a limited number of cases it is not feasible to avoid severance completely. Where unavoidable severance arises the introduction of an underpass to minimise the impacts of severance on the landholding are explored with the landowner.
