Sligo Champion 7th January 2014
Business leaders in County Sligo are supporting plans for a Greenway on the closed Claremorris – Collooney railway line. They say the route should be opened up to walkers and cyclists until such time as a railway is possible.
Don Dirrane Yeats County Inn being interviewed on Ear to the Ground
Yeats County Inn in Curry owner Don Dirrane said: “I would love to see the route opened for cyclists and walkers. The hotel is begging for new customers.” “The Greenway would most certainly make a big difference to my business. I have many applications for jobs.”
Jarlath Gantly Buzz Bikes Collooney being interviewed
Jarlath Gantly of Buzzbikes, Collooney said: “A Greenway would broaden the market place and allow cycle tourists spend more time in the area. They would use their money on local services.”
The comments were made on RTE’s ‘Ear to the Ground’ programme. They have been welcomed by the Sligo – Mayo Greenway campaign.
Cycling tourists from Europe being interviewed
A group of cyclists from continental Europe featured in the programme said they supported the idea of a Greenway and found it difficult cycling on Irish roads. They could not understand how anyone could oppose such an idea as a Greenway. A spokesman said: “A Greenway would create jobs and create them now. We need jobs, not promises of railways that in all likelihood will never happen. It would protect the connection between Claremorris and Collooney. We need to connect Sligo with Achill on a Greenway to make the north west a destination of choice for cycling tourists as well as providing a valuable local amenity,” said the group.
Sligo champion 7th Jan 2014