Project Description:
Mayo County Council (MCC) in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) proposes to develop a Greenway between Belclare & Murrisk.
MCC have appointed engineering consultants Barry Transportation (BT) to provide technical consultancy services for the Option Selection process, Preliminary Design and Statutory Processes for this Greenway (Phases 2-4 of TII’s Project Management Guidelines). This Greenway will be delivered in accordance with the Department of Transport Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways.
The emerging preferred route is approximately 6km in length which runs from Belclare to Murrisk and forms an integral part and extension to the Clew Bay Greenway. Not only will the Greenway be used as an enhanced tourism experience, but it will also be key to unlocking access to active travel for people living in the area.
The overall objective of the Belclare to Murrisk Greenway is to provide a high quality, high-capacity continuous Greenway from Belclare to Murrisk. The Belclare to Murrisk Greenway form’s part of the Clew Bay Bike Trail which links Westport, Murrisk, Louisburgh, Roonagh, Clare Island, Achill Island, Mulranny, Newport and returns to Westport.
The Belclare to Murrisk Greenway is expected to improve the safety and wellbeing of all road users in the region. This will be achieved by separating vulnerable road users from vehicles with segregated greenway infrastructure.
Study Area
The study area extends from the Aughavale Cemetery near Belclare to the Croagh Patrick Carpark, west of Murrisk Village with a total distance of approximately 6km. The area is largely confined by the presence of Clew Bay to the north and Croagh Patrick to the south. The proposed scheme will provide enhanced active travel and greenway facilities for non-motorised road users from Belclare to Murrisk. East of the scheme, the existing greenway facilities between Belclare and Westport are of a good standard. West of Murrisk Village there is a separate scheme currently under development by the tourism department.
Following from the development of this greenway there is opportunity for new eco-tourism and active tourism businesses to capitalise on the growing market, such as the development of bike tours and walking tours. These new business opportunities may provide meaningful employment opportunities for residents of the Study Area and provide a stable and reliable income from the increased tourism trade as a result of the development of this new greenway.
Current Project Phase
The project is currently at Phase 2 (Options Selection) of the TII Project Management Guidelines. The project team has developed an emerging preferred option for the route of the proposed greenway along with a proposed cross-section for the scheme. Details of the emerging preferred option are attached.
What happens next?
Any comments/information received at this stage will further inform the preliminary design for this scheme. The Project Team give significant attention to the following items:
- Local Constraints along the Road Corridor
- Consistent and Continuous Facilities
- Access to Private Dwellings
- Junction Improvements
- Pedestrian Crossing Locations
- Environmental and Biodiversity considerations
Route Option Public Consulation
As part of the public consultation process, an information event was held on Thursday 22nd February 2024 in Cronin's Pub & Restaurant, Rosbeg, Westport where maps of the emerging preferred route were on display. Copies of the maps and brochure, which were on display, can be downloaded and viewed at the links below.
The Project Team is available to answer any queries you may have during this public consultation period, and can be contacted at: nro@mayococo.ie
How to submit your feedback:
- Completing the Emerging Preferred Route Feedback Questionnaire
- In person at our public consultation event
- In writing to Mayo National Roads Office
- Online at https://consult.mayo.ie/browse
MCC Belclare Murrisk Emerging Preferred Route Drawings - Feb 2024