Subject to a feasibility study by Mayo and Sligo county councils - Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has lent his support to the construction of such a facility - running between Claremorris, Co Mayo, and Collooney, Co Sligo.
This would be based on the success of the Great Western Greenway from Newport to Mulranny, Co Mayo, which is now being extended to Achill Island.
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Local politicians in Mayo and Sligo now see such projects as revenue-generators for local economies with Sligo County Council deciding to include it as an objective
Only one section of the western rail corridor, between Ennis and Athenry, has been reinstated for rail services.
Plans to extend it further north to Tuam and Claremorris were included in the Government's Transport 21 investment programme but are 'on hold', because of the economic situation.
Mayo County Council is investigating the opportunity to create a greenway on the rail alignment from Claremorris to Charlestown.
It is thought that disused rail lines in Co Donegal could also be developed as greenways, creating a network of safe cycling and walking routes that would boost activity tourism in the west while also protecting the rail alignments.
(BMcC/GK)
