Western Rail Corridor / Rail Trail Discussion

westtip

end of the road wrote: »

oh there is money for it alright......
some sf members agree with west on track, .

I don't think there is money for it and as Jaspers pointed out it would be highly unlikely to get European funding, re SF members agreeing or not with WOT well it is party policy to back the WRC, if they disagree with party policy then it is, shall we say frowned upon or more to the point not allowed. I am sure some of the near 26,000 people who have now signed the change.org petition must be SF voters, and favour the GWay, but low and behold if they are party members and speak against party policy, then they will face expulsion. It is on this basis I use the acronym SF/WOT, they are the only mainstream political party totally committed to wasting public money on the WRC, so I guess the policy of kick the can until they get into power appears to be working for the rail campaigners.

end of the road

westtip wrote: »

I don't think there is money for it and as Jaspers pointed out it would be highly unlikely to get European funding, re SF members agreeing or not with WOT well it is party policy to back the WRC, if they disagree with party policy then it is, shall we say frowned upon or more to the point not allowed. I am sure some of the near 26,000 people who have now signed the change.org petition must be SF voters, and favour the GWay, but low and behold if they are party members and speak against party policy, then they will face expulsion. It is on this basis I use the acronym SF/WOT, they are the only mainstream political party totally committed to wasting public money on the WRC, so I guess the policy of kick the can until they get into power appears to be working for the rail campaigners.

it doesn't matter what your reasons for using it are, there is no such thing as SF/WOT.
that is just the reality, they are both separate organisations.

westtip

end of the road wrote: »

it doesn't matter what your reasons for using it are, there is no such thing as SF/WOT.
that is just the reality, they are both separate organisations.

Yes fair enough but I like using it, it has a certain ring to it.

eastwest

end of the road wrote: »

once again there is no SF/WOT.
there is sf and west on track, both separate groups.
some sf members agree with west on track, and some supporters including myself agree with west on track, and maybe some people who happen to be members of sf are part of the group, but that is where things end.

It's probably not too far wrong to conflate both at this stage. WOT was originally a community driven group, but that support has disappeared as report after report has showed that the premise is nonsense.
The remaining rump of WOT is strongly influenced by SF, with a lot of crossover. Their (SF) recent instructions to their most recently appointed MEP for instance were to use his European advertising budget to promote WOT.
Scratch the surface of WOT, and it's all SF.

end of the road

eastwest wrote: »

It's probably not too far wrong to conflate both at this stage. WOT was originally a community driven group, but that support has disappeared as report after report has showed that the premise is nonsense.
The remaining rump of WOT is strongly influenced by SF, with a lot of crossover. Their (SF) recent instructions to their most recently appointed MEP for instance were to use his European advertising budget to promote WOT.
Scratch the surface of WOT, and it's all SF.

it's very wrong given it's factually incorrect that they are 1 group.


everything else in your post amounts to sf simply agree with rebuilding the WRC, nothing more.

westtip

end of the road wrote: »

it's very wrong given it's factually incorrect that they are 1 group.


everything else in your post amounts to sf simply agree with rebuilding the WRC, nothing more.

SF/WOT it does have certain ring to it and lets face it they are the only political party that openly supports the railway coming back. It must be the one part of their political mantra that has so limited community support that it could actually leak them a few votes in Galway and Mayo, probably not enough to damage them, not so much in Sligo as the greenway is a done deal there, SF/WOT have tried to oppose it at council level and been put in their place, mind you SF/WOT may yet play an anti-community spoiler card there.

end of the road

westtip wrote: »

SF/WOT it does have certain ring to it and lets face it they are the only political party that openly supports the railway coming back. It must be the one part of their political mantra that has so limited community support that it could actually leak them a few votes in Galway and Mayo, probably not enough to damage them, not so much in Sligo as the greenway is a done deal there, SF/WOT have tried to oppose it at council level and been put in their place, mind you SF/WOT may yet play an anti-community spoiler card there.

there is no SF/WOT, both are separate groups.
actually the WRC seems to have quite a bit of support, in fact i wouldn't be surprised if support was underestimated.
in fact, i wouldn't be surprised if you engaging in nonsense such as SF/WOT isn't changing some minds given that people tend to not wish to side with individuals who have to resort to being disrespectful to others.
sf managing to stop the greenway isn't anti-community, it's pro-community given that the likely hood of the community receiving any real boost isn't that much from what i can see.

westtip

end of the road wrote: »

there is no SF/WOT, both are separate groups.
actually the WRC seems to have quite a bit of support, in fact i wouldn't be surprised if support was underestimated.
in fact, i wouldn't be surprised if you engaging in nonsense such as SF/WOT isn't changing some minds given that people tend to not wish to side with individuals who have to resort to being disrespectful to others.
sf managing to stop the greenway isn't anti-community, it's pro-community given that the likely hood of the community receiving any real boost isn't that much from what i can see.

in fact I think you are wrong, in fact there is massive community support for the Greenway in fact most people understand the reality of life. In fact I support the railway too but in fact I know it will not realised and if it is in fact it will be a complete waste of money but in fact when I get my bus pass I will in fact use the railway but in fact at least you have acknowledged that SF are trying to stop the greenway in fact SF/WOT seems to be a good acronynm. That's a fact I would say.

away with yerr with your self proclaimg facts.

westtip

end of the road wrote: »

there is no SF/WOT, both are separate groups.

sf managing to stop the greenway isn't anti-community, it's pro-community

Ah well there is of course no SF/WOT.:D:D:rolleyes::rolleyes::mad::mad:

end of the road

end of the road wrote: »

once again there is no SF/WOT.
there is sf and west on track, both separate groups.
some sf members agree with west on track, and some supporters including myself agree with west on track, and maybe some people who happen to be members of sf are part of the group, but that is where things end.

I think Gerry Adams has denied being a member of WOT, but may have known people who were in it or associated with them in the past. :pac:

eastwest

end of the road wrote: »

there is no SF/WOT, both are separate groups.
actually the WRC seems to have quite a bit of support, in fact i wouldn't be surprised if support was underestimated.
in fact, i wouldn't be surprised if you engaging in nonsense such as SF/WOT isn't changing some minds given that people tend to not wish to side with individuals who have to resort to being disrespectful to others.
sf managing to stop the greenway isn't anti-community, it's pro-community given that the likely hood of the community receiving any real boost isn't that much from what i can see.

It's too much of a coincidence that the SF MEP in question, a complete unknown who was their sixth choice for the seat vacated by Matt Carthy, would be ordered to spend the GUE -ALDE advertising money on trying to.persuade mayo and Galway councillors to block a greenway. This money was provided by his EP group to promote the group in the constituency, but he was obviously told to use it to try to bolster support for WOT in the face of a huge surge in local support for the greenway in east mayo and Galway. His seat is shaky, he has poor visibility across the constituency and could really have used that funding to better advantage instead of using it to promote a daft option that isn't going to happen and that the population doesn't even want.
It is clear to any calm analyst that SF/WOT was operating as one entity in this case, at least.

westtip

end of the road wrote: »

t
sf managing to stop the greenway isn't anti-community, it's pro-community.

Is this officially SF policy?

dinneenp

What does WOT stand for?.....

Sam Russell

dinneenp wrote: »

What does WOT stand for?.....

West On Track.

A group attempting to revive the long closed sections of the Victorian rural railways through very under populated sections of the remote countryside of East Galway and East Mayo, linking small towns to other even smaller towns.

westtip

Sam Russell wrote: »

West On Track.

A group attempting to revive the long closed sections of the Victorian rural railways through very under populated sections of the remote countryside of East Galway and East Mayo, linking small towns to other even smaller towns.

An excellent description could have added "for no apparent reason other than they have the LUAS and Dart in Dublin"

Decades

eastwest wrote: »

It's too much of a coincidence that the SF MEP in question, a complete unknown who was their sixth choice for the seat vacated by Matt Carthy, would be ordered to spend the GUE -ALDE advertising money on trying to.persuade mayo and Galway councillors to block a greenway. This money was provided by his EP group to promote the group in the constituency, but he was obviously told to use it to try to bolster support for WOT in the face of a huge surge in local support for the greenway in east mayo and Galway. His seat is shaky, he has poor visibility across the constituency and could really have used that funding to better advantage instead of using it to promote a daft option that isn't going to happen and that the population doesn't even want.
It is clear to any calm analyst that SF/WOT was operating as one entity in this case, at least.

What's his name again?

Sam Russell

Decades wrote: »

What's his name again?

It says it in the post - a complete unknown.

Decades

Sam Russell wrote: »

It says it in the post - a complete unknown.

Nice to see some Bob Dylan lyrics slipping in for the day that's in it.

MayoForSam

Decades wrote: »

Nice to see some Bob Dylan lyrics slipping in for the day that's in it.

If the WRC was a person, then it would probably be like the loner in 'Like A Rolling Stone", fallen from grace, not talking so loud or seeming so proud anymore. Bob could have written a fine song about the travails of our dearly beloved route.

end of the road

dinneenp wrote: »

What does WOT stand for?.....

west on track.
they are a campaign group campaigning for the reopening of the long distance regional main line between athenry and claremorris in co. mayo, and eventually the branch to sligo so as to open up a rail route through the west, which in turn will allow an east west cross country rail link avoiding dublin, allowing for greater journey opportunities via rail and bring regional and cross country connectivity.

westtip

Sam Russell wrote: »

West On Track.

A group attempting to revive the long closed sections of the Victorian rural railways through very under populated sections of the remote countryside of East Galway and East Mayo, linking small towns to other even smaller towns.

or

end of the road wrote: »

west on track.
they are a campaign group campaigning for the reopening of the long distance regional main line between athenry and claremorris in co. mayo, and eventually the branch to sligo so as to open up a rail route through the west, which in turn will allow an east west cross country rail link avoiding dublin, allowing for greater journey opportunities via rail and bring regional and cross country connectivity.

Take your pick, the former pretty much gives you the reality of what they hope to achieve, the latter is the same without the reality applied and the view taken with very rose coloured spectacles worn at the time.

They may actually get further phases reopened and more power to them if they do, I'll enjoy cycling on the greenway that will be alongside the reopened sections.

The reality is though that its not likely to happen for the next 50+ years, at best, so may as well use the route for something else in the meantime.

westtip

Yep DC youi never know and they may achieve what they are after, can't see it personally and if it does happen it will the ghost train of ireland. There is simply not the volume of freight/passengers to give the idea any credence, but you never knosw.

Just to make it official

westtip

Deleted User wrote: »

Just to make it official

But, but but but but doesn't West on Track have the unanimous support of all county and city councils in the West......Oh I forgot Sligo coco and now Galway city council officially back the greenway option......:rolleyes::rolleyes:

happyoutscan

For anyone unsure of what a simple Greenway can bring, go and visit Newport. A derelict, downtrodden and unassuming village 10 years ago that is now flying it (as is Mulranny further along).

More life in these villages than an empty rail could ever bring.

westtip

happyoutscan wrote: »

For anyone unsure of what a simple Greenway can bring, go and visit Newport. A derelict, downtrodden and unassuming village 10 years ago that is now flying it (as is Mulranny further along).

More life in these villages than an empty rail could ever bring.

Doesn't make any difference how much any of us may scream that message out SF/WOT will not listen, But yes you are so right as so many others over the years have said over and over and over and over.........ad nauseum, they will not listen and would prefer to have empty trains twice a day and a freight train bringing dirty waste into the west of ireland to clean up other peoples mess.

eastwest

happyoutscan wrote: »

For anyone unsure of what a simple Greenway can bring, go and visit Newport. A derelict, downtrodden and unassuming village 10 years ago that is now flying it (as is Mulranny further along).

More life in these villages than an empty rail could ever bring.

Or look at Kilmacthomas in Waterford. Falling apart three tears ago, now flying. And because of the Waterford greenway, the county is now seen as a good fit for tech companies who look for quality of life factors in order to be able to recruit and retain staff.
But try explaining that to a SF/WOT councillor!

monument

westtip wrote: »

SF/WOT it does have certain ring to it and lets face it they are the only political party that openly supports the railway coming back. It must be the one part of their political mantra that has so limited community support that it could actually leak them a few votes in Galway and Mayo, probably not enough to damage them, not so much in Sligo as the greenway is a done deal there, SF/WOT have tried to oppose it at council level and been put in their place, mind you SF/WOT may yet play an anti-community spoiler card there.

You’ve been warned before and there’s been recent in-thread warnings — banned for a week for trolling / disruptive posting (ie “SF/WOT”)

— moderator

Decades

West on Trackers are like the parish priest, and his ageing and diminishing hareem of apostolics, trying to banish liberalism, or the Bull McCabe beating back the waves screaming "leave him alone". Walking, running and cycling, as elements of a quality life, are unstoppable forces. There will be greenways. Each of the greenway campaigns will know their own "special moment" when their particular proposal was cemented and accepted. Pennies drop. It's really just a matter of time. Ridiculously, it won't be Minister Eamon Ryan that delivers (either rail or greenway), but that would be Eamon for you.

Sam Russell

It is not possible that the Athenry to Tuam railway will be approved within the next decade nor is it likely it will be approved in the following decade. There are too many projects ahead of it. The Greenway is small change compared with it.

It is worth investing in a Greenway for a timescale of a decade because, if it is successful, it can be moved to accommodate the railway, and if it is not, the railway can be reinstated, and all the work done in providing the Greenway is going to make the reinstatement much easier because fencing, vegetation, access points, etc. will make the construction easier.

So, build the Greenway now, and see how it goes.

end of the road

eastwest wrote: »

Or look at Kilmacthomas in Waterford. Falling apart three tears ago, now flying. And because of the Waterford greenway, the county is now seen as a good fit for tech companies who look for quality of life factors in order to be able to recruit and retain staff.
But try explaining that to a SF/WOT councillor!

tech companies have been in waterford for as long as i can remember.
nothing to do with the greenway.

Decades wrote: »

West on Trackers are like the parish priest, and his ageing and diminishing hareem of apostolics, trying to banish liberalism, or the Bull McCabe beating back the waves screaming "leave him alone".

you are factually incorrect.

Decades wrote: »

Walking, running and cycling, as elements of a quality life, are unstoppable forces. There will be greenways. Each of the greenway campaigns will know their own "special moment" when their particular proposal was cemented and accepted. Pennies drop. It's really just a matter of time. Ridiculously, it won't be Minister Eamon Ryan that delivers (either rail or greenway), but that would be Eamon for you.

walking and running have existed since man existed, and cycling has existed since the first bike was invented, so i'm not sure what your point is, because they certainly aren't new inventions.
there will be some greenways, but going forward it's likely they will you know, actually have to offer something and be shown before hand that they will offer something, before they will get built.
no point in spending money on expensive bike motor ways for the odd local, after all.

Greaney

end of the road wrote: »

no point in spending money on expensive bike motor ways for the odd local, after all.

Indeed lovely as the bleak beauty of a bog may be, it does not compare to the Atlantic or Irish sea coastline. A 15 mile cycle through a bog with nary a town to break up the route may sound like a good idea to someone who's going to workout on a Sunday morning, but sounds like a bit of a slog to a pleasure cyclist. There's been criticism by some of the Mullingar cycle route on TripAdvisor like....

'While loving the wide, smooth, level and traffic-free surface, we felt it lacks something. I'm really surprised that more businesses aren't setting up cafes etc along the way.'

'We might visit this greenway again, but maybe with friends as it's otherwise a little boring. '

'.... there are no sheltering facilities (the stretch we did) and no chance to stop and sit down or have a picnic.'

'...Good greenway but a little uninteresting.'

'Scenery is not spectacular but it's the Midlands, what do you expect?

'...it has one major defect! It's so straight and hill-less it's boring so I would suggest a Walkman and ear phones.'

'...not much to see or do.'

'Cons: Bland and uninteresting. No signage whatsoever about the history of the railway or the stations. Nothing at all to inform the traveller - particularly those from abroad. .... Even local businesses seem disinterested. '

Some of the reviews are great, but these little comments would suggest there are better options. I suspect Tuam to Athenry wouldn't be one of them


https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Attraction_Review-g315894-d8747758-Reviews-or10-Old_Rail_Trail-Mullingar_County_Westmeath.html

Greaney

Greaney wrote: »

Selective quoting

https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Attraction_Review-g315894-d8747758-Reviews-or10-Old_Rail_Trail-Mullingar_County_Westmeath.html

Thanks for providing a link that shows you took many of those quotes out of context or selectively only quoted portions of reviews

Woodward & Bernstein your writings ain't

Greaney

Deleted User wrote: »

Thanks for providing a link that shows you took many of those quotes out of context or selectively only quoted portions of reviews

Woodward & Bernstein your writings ain't

I put in the link to be balanced. I think it's telling that folk, even in the good reviews, talked about the lack of businesses & services along the way. Also, many of the reviews are from folk who give it the thumbs up as a great place to exercise, not big spenders in my experience.

Spin it whatever way ya want, I've no interest in engaging further with your objective of crapping over other greenways as some kind of argument for something.

end of the road

Deleted User wrote: »

Spin it whatever way ya want, I've no interest in engaging further with your objective of crapping over other greenways as some kind of argument for something.

so a cycling advocate posts a link to reviews of a greenway and you're complaining because those reviews don't suit you.

Decades

Greaney wrote: »

Indeed lovely as the bleak beauty of a bog may be, it does not compare to the Atlantic or Irish sea coastline. A 15 mile cycle through a bog with nary a town to break up the route may sound like a good idea to someone who's going to workout on a Sunday morning, but sounds like a bit of a slog to a pleasure cyclist.

Some of the reviews are great, but these little comments would suggest there are better options. I suspect Tuam to Athenry wouldn't be one of them


https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Attraction_Review-g315894-d8747758-Reviews-or10-Old_Rail_Trail-Mullingar_County_Westmeath.html

What do you make of this option? https://workinglivingtravellinginireland.com/2020/06/cycle-route-from-thoor-ballylee-to-the-gort-river-walk-in-the-burrenlowlands

Exactly the type of rail investment needed in the west

https://galwaybayfm.ie/galway-bay-fm-news-desk/step-forward-for-e24m-redevelopment-of-ceannt-station/

There’s been a step forward for plans for a major €24m redevelopment of Ceannt Station in the city.

The capital project will include the full replacement of the existing station roof, the upgrade of the southern facade and the creation of a new main entrance to the station.

Waiting areas for rail and bus passengers will also be upgraded, while three additional train platforms are to be developed.

Next up, full dual tracking all the way to Dublin, electrification, removal of remaining level crossings, demand stations and hey presto a sub 2hr Galway to Dublin service

Now THAT is investment with a tangible return for society and the economy

eastwest

Deleted User wrote: »

Exactly the type of rail investment needed in the west



Next up, full dual tracking all the way to Dublin, electrification, removal of remaining level crossings, demand stations and hey presto a sub 2hr Galway to Dublin service

Now THAT is investment with a tangible return for society and the economy

Ah no, build a railway to Claremorris instead. Sure what hurry has anyone going up to Dublin, and the important people get paid by the mile anyway.

eastwest

It's started! Cork today, Swinford to kiltimagh tomorrow. Or sometime.
Government announces new metropolitan rail network for Cork as part of Economic Recovery Plan https://jrnl.ie/5454345

Greaney

Decades wrote: »

What do you make of this option? https://workinglivingtravellinginireland.com/2020/06/cycle-route-from-thoor-ballylee-to-the-gort-river-walk-in-the-burrenlowlands

I think this is terrific.:D Furthermore, I think if we want to develop greenways this is the way to get them.

1) This is the type of project that gets the funders attention. They like if folk have done the ground work and begun the research & development in a practical way. This also helps build capacity in the community to develop & maintain the trails as it's likely that they won't have 'staff' in the local authority to begin projects so they rely on small community initiatives.

2) This model is scale-able, which they really like, so you start with a few short options that take you, around the community to places of interest, you put it up on a web/facebook page & do a few 'event's to build profile, maybe you produce a brochure that can be popped into the local library, post office & interpretive center. Then perhaps one can invest in markers & other infra. Certainly my experience is give the council something to 'build on'.

3) This model promotes different communities joining up their routes.

4) Finally, It's transparent to so folk can see what's possible before big money has been spent, so that investment isn't wasted.

What's really important about this project is that it can be the work of one to three people. It doesn't need campaigns that get politicians & public whipped up, but one person who's showing what's possible...

happyoutscan

Decades wrote: »

What do you make of this option? https://workinglivingtravellinginireland.com/2020/06/cycle-route-from-thoor-ballylee-to-the-gort-river-walk-in-the-burrenlowlands

There have been a number of great cycle loops around Westport and further afield in Louisburgh for the last decade or longer.

Rarely used as they are not particularly suitable for kids and the terrain can be quite unfriendly to the less physically fit.

The main advantage of Greenways is they are generally flat and much safer for kids.

Decades

Greaney wrote: »

I think this is terrific.:D Furthermore, I think if we want to develop greenways this is the way to get them.

1) This is the type of project that gets the funders attention. They like if folk have done the ground work and begun the research & development in a practical way. This also helps build capacity in the community to develop & maintain the trails as it's likely that they won't have 'staff' in the local authority to begin projects so they rely on small community initiatives.

2) This model is scale-able, which they really like, so you start with a few short options that take you, around the community to places of interest, you put it up on a web/facebook page & do a few 'event's to build profile, maybe you produce a brochure that can be popped into the local library, post office & interpretive center. Then perhaps one can invest in markers & other infra. Certainly my experience is give the council something to 'build on'.

3) This model promotes different communities joining up their routes.

4) Finally, It's transparent to so folk can see what's possible before big money has been spent, so that investment isn't wasted.

What's really important about this project is that it can be the work of one to three people. It doesn't need campaigns that get politicians & public whipped up, but one person who's showing what's possible...

Leaving aside a love of trains (because that's a personal preference for transport), which of your 1-4 does not apply to any of the proposed greenways along the Western Transport Corridor?

I wonder what impact this will have on any potential reopening of rail services in Mayo

Preferred route for new N17 between Knock and Collooney due by year end

https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2021/05/27/preferred-route-for-new-n17-between-knock-and-collooney-due-by-year-end/



A PREFERRED option route for the new N17 between Knock and Collooney is expected to be identified before the end of the year.

An update on the N17 Knock to Collooney (Atlantic Economic Corridor) project, which is at phase 2 (options selection) of the TII project management guidelines, has issued this week.

Initial feasible options (the long list) were established and released for public information last October, with a non-statutory public consultation period taking place until January 15, during which time submissions were encouraged from the public.

Preliminary options assessments have been ongoing and are now in the concluding phases.

A parallel shortlisting design analysis is also currently taking place (seeking to amalgamate and optimise certain options). This process will result in the establishment of refined options (i.e. the short list of options), which it is expected will be confirmed towards the middle/end of July, with the next non-statutory public consultation to take place thereafter.

It is also expected that a preferred option will be established by the end of 2021.

Improvements to the N17 between Knock and Collooney will enhance regional connectivity, facilitating and supporting the economy of the Atlantic Economic Corridor (AEC) and the North-West region in general.

Updates on the project are available here: https://n17knockcollooney.ie/

I think the CBA ratio for the closed rail line just fell off a cliff

end of the road

Deleted User wrote: »

Exactly the type of rail investment needed in the west



Next up, full dual tracking all the way to Dublin, electrification, removal of remaining level crossings, demand stations and hey presto a sub 2hr Galway to Dublin service

Now THAT is investment with a tangible return for society and the economy

it is indeed and the reopening of the western railway corridor regional main line will complement this investment for sure.

eastwest wrote: »

It's started! Cork today, Swinford to kiltimagh tomorrow. Or sometime.
Government announces new metropolitan rail network for Cork as part of Economic Recovery Plan https://jrnl.ie/5454345

just announcing stuff that should have been done decades ago.
quite right and very welcome that it will finally get done.

Deleted User wrote: »

I wonder what impact this will have on any potential reopening of rail services in Mayo



Updates on the project are available here: https://n17knockcollooney.ie/

I think the CBA ratio for the closed rail line just fell off a cliff

road upgrades could actually enhance it long term as road upgrades equals traffic increases but more roads won't be able to solve it for economic and environmental reasons.

end of the road

end of the road wrote: »

road upgrades could actually enhance it long term as road upgrades equals traffic increases but more roads won't be able to solve it for economic and environmental reasons.

Thankfully you are not doing the calculations otherwise we'd be getting a maglev to Kiltimagh with your mathematical acrobatics

end of the road

Deleted User wrote: »

Thankfully you are not doing the calculations otherwise we'd be getting a maglev to Kiltimagh with your mathematical acrobatics

not at all, you would just be getting a good regional main line.

Greaney

Decades wrote: »

Leaving aside a love of trains (because that's a personal preference for transport), which of your 1-4 does not apply to any of the proposed greenways along the Western Transport Corridor?

I don't oppose greenways along the Western Transport corridor, I oppose the 'only one option greenway', at the expense of rail. To achieve anything, one always needs to have more than one option, and to have scale-able steps

None of the four points were applied to the QMG route

1) The practical ground work hasn't been done....no one has cycled the route, created the (mock-up) of the brochure/website, classified the roads or organised public/bike-week organised events for cyclists to engage in them. An internet campaign is not the same as actually getting on a bike. It's got to include those who've shouted the loudest for this facility to get on their bikes & cycle the area.
2) The proposed Athenry to Milltown route has not been made scale-able. There's no €5k, €20k investment elements etc. proposed
3)The ground work by local community bike groups who've been scoping their areas for routes & then joining them hasn't been part of the campaign
4) The descriptions of the greenway when it's finished are in the area of the imagination of those who are still at the dream stage. One is imagining it's going to be like Westport to Louisburg, however, with Gort trails, etc. one doesn't imagine, one has a rough sketch of what it's going to be... enough work has been done that it's a tangible reality, not a dream waiting to be shattered in the event of the train line opening.

Decades

Greaney wrote: »

None of the four points were applied to the QMG route
1) The practical ground work hasn't been done....no one has cycled the route, created the (mock-up) of the brochure/website, classified the roads or organised public/bike-week organised events for cyclists to engage in them. An internet campaign is not the same as actually getting on a bike. It's got to include those who've shouted the loudest for this facility to get on their bikes & cycle the area.

They have and do every day of the week - both by foot and bike.

Greaney wrote: »

2)The proposed Athenry to Milltown route has not been made scale-able. There's no €5k, €20k investment elements etc. proposed

Simply not true, but you couldn't know that.

Greaney wrote: »

3)The ground work by local community bike groups who've been scoping their areas for routes & then joining them hasn't been part of the campaign

Not true

Greaney wrote: »

4) The descriptions of the greenway when it's finished are in the area of the imagination of those who are still at the dream stage. One is imagining it's going to be like Westport to Louisburg, however, with Gort trails, etc. one doesn't imagine, one has a rough sketch of what it's going to be... enough work has been done that it's a tangible reality, not a dream waiting to be shattered in the event of the train line opening.

Not true

Galway County Council and perhaps Dublin-Galway will soon produce far more than a "rough sketch" in relation to Athenry's disused railway, so let see what they say. Sligo has well surpassed the "dreamers" state and sods will soon be turned. I hear there were people cycling around Swinford and Charlestown nailing colours to the greenway mast over the last few days. .