Approximately 140 landowners in County Waterford could face direct impact from the preferred route of the Dungarvan to Mallow Greenway.

This key scheme is a 74-kilometre long walking and cycling path that would connect Dungarvan, Co Waterford to Mallow, Co Cork, linking the towns and villages of Cappoquin, Lismore, Ballyduff, Clondulane, Fermoy, Ballyhooly, and Killavullen.

The project team from Waterford City and County Council and Cork County Council are consulting with the landowners in question, as well as a further approximately 100 landowners whose land is adjacent to the emerging preferred route.

The project team is following the Code of Best Practice for National and Regional Greenways and appointed a Project Liaison Officer to commence individual landowner consultations. Also, a meeting recently took place with the Irish Farmers' Association, or IFA, representatives to share the progress of the project to date, and to listen to the concerns of their members.

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This landowner engagement is in addition to the initial public consultation undertaken back in 2022 and the key themes emerging at that time included safety and security, environment concerns, and the potential impacts on local residents, farms and businesses.

Senior Engineer Waterford City and County Council, Sean Dobbs added: "This proposed new greenway would create a fun, healthy experience for local people and tourists alike, one that supports the economic development of the region and the wellbeing of our citizens. It is very encouraging to see the community engage at this level."

The team expects to visit and meet with the remaining 70 landowners, most of whom are located between Lismore and Dungarvan, throughout the month of June. All feedback will be reviewed and refinements to the route will be considered and analysed by the project team. A further round of public consultation is expected to take place towards the end of the year.