Frequently Asked Questions
What is the project?
Galway County Council, in partnership with Galway City Council and in association with Transport Infrastructure Ireland are working to develop a recreational trail which provides commuters and leisure cyclists with a corridor linking the city of Galway to the town of Oughterard.
How can the public participate?
The project team are committed to fully consider any inputs from members of the public, such as submissions received through the public consultation process or through the identification of local issues. We would value any feedback which you think should be reviewed by the project team to help inform the development of the project. Please refer to the Public Consultation Tab of this Project Website for information on how you can have your say.
Will this project affect the planning application process in the area?
Galway County Council / Galway City Council have responsibility for planning and managing development within the study area. Planning applications and new developments may still be granted within the study area, however as some planning applications may affect the project, all relevant planning applications will be reviewed by the design team. Each planning application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
How will land be acquired?
It is anticipated that the use of state-owned lands (where possible), in conjunction with the lands acquired by Voluntary Agreements, will deliver the majority of the lands required for the Greenway.
Where private land acquisition is necessary following the selection of the preferred route corridor, the project promoter will engage with individual landowners in an effort to agree upon a route that minimises the impact on their respective farm / property holdings and enter into Voluntary Land Acquisition Agreements where possible. The process of agreeing upon Voluntary Land Acquisition Agreements will be initiated in advance of an application for planning consent.
For further guidance and information, please refer to the recently published (December 2021) Code of Best Practice for National and Regional Greenways and associated Greenway Sustainability Payment documents which can be accessed HERE.
How will the risk of Crime/Anti-Social Behaviour be managed?
The Galway to Oughterard Greenway will be managed and maintained by the council who will ensure appropriate measures are put in place to minimise anti-social behaviours. The council will work closely with key stakeholders, for example the Gardaí, which follows the examples set by other greenway projects implemented to date.