On Thursday I raised the issue of greenways and cycleways in the Seanad and sought the publciaton of the new Code of Best Practice for Greenways which was promised following the publication of the Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways

I also requested that the new Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan T.D. come to the Seanad to debate the issue of greenways and the frustratingly slow progress on the development of greenways such as the Connemara Greenway and the Galway City – Salthill – Barna Greenway.

Following the publication of the Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways, a group was established at the Department of Transport to develop a Code of Best Practice. However, progress on greenways has been frustratingly slow in many places.

The Connemara Greenway and the greenway for Galway City to Salthill and Barna, for example, have significant potential but have been hampered by delays.

Greenways and cycleways will benefit local people and communities as well as visitors by providing safer cycling routes either for commuting or recreation. However, it is very clear that the current approach to developing greenways is not working.

Salthill in Galway is an example. While I appreciate the concerns of some businesses locally, I was disappointed with the decision not to proceed with a temporary cycleway in Salthill.

However, I also have concerns with the use of emergency measures due to Covid-19. This is not best practice and emergency legislation can be challenged, and often successfully so.

Funding is not the obstacle and significant funding has been provided over the last number of years by the Department of Rural and Community Development for the Connemara Greenway, particularly between Maam Cross and Clifden.

We need to recognise that greenways, like the Connemara Greenway, the Dublin to Galway Greenway and the Galway to Barna Greenway represent critical infrastructure that will benefit everyone. We need to have proper consultation to find the best routes and to compensate land-owners and property-owners.

Ultimately, we need the Code of Best Practice and leadership to progress greenways.