Council urge progress on greenway

Members of Cavan Belturbet Municipal District are to write to Leitrim County Council to address the delay in the development of the Greenway linking Collooney, Sligo to Enniskillen. It was alleged that the Leitrim local authority has been “sitting on their hands” in respect of a greenway in the boundary between the counties of Leitrim, Cavan and Fermanagh that extends to Sligo.

In early 2019, then Minister for Transport, Shane Ross, awarded €750,000 to Leitrim County Council for the project and it was anticipated it would progress swiftly.

As the lead local authority, Leitrim County Council was to work to re-develop the old Sligo Leitrim and Northern Counties (SLNCR) Railway line as a Greenway.

The route will take in Lough Gill, Dromahaire, Manorhamilton, Glenfarne, Lough MacNean, through Blacklion, Belcoo to Enniskillen. It will bring together the Wild Atlantic Way and the Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark.

The choice of Leitrim as the lead authority allows Glenfarne Demesne to be a focal point for the greenway. Glenfarne Wood has an exceptional location on the shores of Lough MacNean, which forms the natural boundary between the counties of Leitrim, Cavan and Fermanagh. The wood forms part of what was once the Tottenham Estate, later acquired as a hunting retreat for Edward Harland, founder of the Harland and Wolfe shipyard in Belfast.

Cllr John Paul Feeley (FF) raised the issue of the appointment of a Cavan representation on the Greenway committee overseen by Leitrim County Council. Cllr Feeley accused the neighbouring local authority of “sitting on their hands”.

Cllr Sean Smith (FF) proposed the MD write to the Leitrim local authority to expedite the situation. Cllr Smith said Cavan has nominated three people to the committee, but they have yet to be appointed.

Cllr Feeley said three years ago funding was approved but Leitrim County Council have yet to move on the matter. The Fianna Fáil representative seconded Cllr Smith’s proposal to write to the neighbouring council to express concern at the ongoing delay.