Committee keen for new Wicklow to Greystones greenway to avoid Special Area of Conservation
Potential routes for the project are being examined by the council engineers with a view to having another public consultation on the emerging preferred option in the second half of 2025.The Greenway Committee consists of members of the Wicklow Town Team and Greystones Town Team, and have been meeting regularly in support of the long-awaited project which is being developed by Wicklow County Council.
The committee is keen that the council learn lessons from the recently rejected Blessington Greenway, when An Bord Pleanála officials weren't satisfied that the application demonstrated beyond reasonable scientific doubt that the proposed development would not affect the integrity of the Wicklow Mountains Special Area of Conservation and the Poulaphouca Reservoir Special Protection Area.
Speaking at their most recent meeting, chair of the committee Ciaran Lally said: 'We as a committee still believe this greenway has the potential to be a game-changer for people in Wicklow town, Newcastle, Kilcoole and Greystones. But from day one we always said we didn't want the project to go ahead if there wasn't a way to do it sensitively to the landscape of the Murrough.
'In its recent rejection of the Blessington Greenway project, An Bord Pleanála referenced the proximity of the route to the European protected areas as one of the reasons.
'The East Coast Greenway route selection is currently looking at options along the coast and further inland along field boundaries. Given the decision by An Bord Pleanála we think it would be wiser to avoid the sections of the coast which are in the Murrough SAC and focus on the field boundary route instead.
'Whilst it would be terrific to have an uninterrupted view of the sea for the greenway, we have to be realistic, and the field boundary route would still give some great views of the sea and the wetlands, and be an amazing amenity for the people of east coast county Wicklow and beyond.
'It also eliminates the potential delay that a coastal erosion protection project could have on the greenway's construction.'
Speaking after the meeting was Cllr Danny Alvey, who is a member of the committee and Wicklow Municipal District. He said: 'My colleague, Cllr Stephen Stokes, and I sit on the Wicklow County Council Special Policy Committee for Transport and Infrastructure, which is responsible for overseeing greenway projects in the county.
'I have been a part of the committee campaigning for the East Coast Greenway since 2018 and I see the huge potential this project would have for improving connection, recreation, tourism and the local economy for all the towns and villages along its route.
'Everyone knows I am also very passionate about the environment and nature restoration in particular. I see projects like greenways as a great opportunity to use eco-tourism to connect local communities to their special areas of conservation. Doing so increases the value people see in these places and increases their chance of protection. In light of An Bord Pleanála's clear advice that European protected areas should be avoided by greenways, I think the most logical thing for the council to do now would be to choose a route across field boundaries close to the edge of the SAC. This way walkers and cyclists can still see and enjoy this incredibly scenic wetland landscape without impacting on it.'
Cllr Stokes of Greystones Municipal District commented: 'Of course we need to listen to local residents and ensure the correct environmental approach. However the potential benefits are phenomenal. We have a special opportunity to promote active living and sustainable tourism. Let's get the wheels moving.'
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