At best the long awaited Clew Bay Greenway Loop will not be in place until 2030 – a full decade behind schedule. That’s according to Westport based councillor Peter Flynn.

Significant funding for the route was lost to the region last  year, after Mayo County Council was forced to hand back government funding secured for it, as the local authority failed to adhere to the rules of the grant scheme.

It’s now Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) that is in charge of all new greenways in the county, and a representative of the TII addressed the last monthly meeting of the West Mayo Municipal District to update councillors on plans for the Clew Bay Loop Greenway – a facility that would link Westport to Louisburgh and out of Roonagh Pier and then back to Achill Island after crossing the Atlantic by ferry.

Cllr Flynn said the news from TII was very disappointing, however, he admits there was some welcome news for the established Great Western Greenway that runs from Westport to Achill, as a new greenway route – 1.5hm in length, is now planned to be in place through Newport town by the end of next year (2024).

The Fine Gael councillor has been speaking to Midwest News Editor Teresa O’Malley about the overview given by the TII representatives to councillors on progress on the greenways in the area...