Public Event and Survey for SLNCR Greenway

Public event takes place in Belcoo Community Centre, Wednesday, October 18.

A public event and online survey are taking place as part of preparations to press ahead with plans to the develop the Sligo Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway Greenway.

Leitrim County Council in partnership with Sligo County Council, Cavan County Council and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, under the auspices of Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Department for Infrastructure, are developing the proposed project to provide a greenway from Sligo town to Enniskillen.

The route will passing through Collooney and Ballintogher in Sligo, Domahair, Manorhamilton snf Glenfarne in Leitrim, Blacklion in Cavan, and Belcoo and Letterbreen in neighbouring Fermanagh.

The project is named after the Sligo Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway which operated as a 75km railway line linking Enniskillen to Collooney where it connected with the Sligo-Dublin line.

Arup have been appointed by Leitrim County Council to provide multi-disciplinary engineering and other specialist consultancy services, consisting of all services and deliverables for the delivery of this Project through Phases 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (detailed design and tender documents only).

The Project is currently at Phase 2 Option Selection.

Local communities have been to the fore in developing the idea where many signs of the railway line including stations, road crossings, cottages, earthworks and bridges still exist.

The need for the SLNCR Greenway is underpinned by the necessity to provide facilities which enable physical activity in a safe environment for all, by the need to connect rural communities using sustainable modes for short trips and strengthen rural economies and communities, whilst enhancing amenity and heritage.

Urban Foresight, on behalf of the SLNCR Partners, is hosting an in-person workshop in Belcoo Community Centre later this month- Wednesday, October 18, from 10am-12pm.

The aim of the workshop is to gain input and insights from communities and businesses along the route to help develop the vision and better understand the potential impact on the local economy. The event will also explore how European routes have had an impact and the needs of the communities and businesses in the local area.

Registration is now open, and an online survey is also available for people to complete to provide feedback on the economic opportunities of the proposed greenway.