Lack of Leitrim greenway maintenance becoming a "huge issue"

Several Leitrim councillors, lead by Cllr Ita Reynolds-Flynn, noted that substantial damage to the greenways was being left unrepaired and inquired as to how the greenways are funded, speaking at the latest budget meeting. 

She said: "Where are getting money for the upkeep of our greenways?"

Other councillors noted that storm damage leading to damaged fences and fallen trees were not being repaired in a timely fashion and locals were frustrated that they didn't know who to turn to fix the issues.

Cllr Felim Gurn said it was "becoming a huge issue out there; on ours there are leaves and branches and we are trying to contact the engineer and they don't know where to go to."

Cllr Gary Prior also expressed concerns regarding the maintenance of the greenways stating that

Referring to comments by head of finance, Vincent Dwyer earlier in the meeting he said: "You said the capital programme will in the future be over the maintenance but there are some issues on the ground that need to be sorted; who is responsible with regard to over grown grass or trees and fences damaged in winds. We have beautiful greenways but it's just the maintenance of them."

He pushed: "It is something we need an answer on."

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David Minton, responded: "What we've seen in recent years is huge investment of capital funds across an extensive network of greenways, blueways and greyways. The greenways are led by the local authority and we have to maintain them but there is a distinction between some of the community-based ones."

He said due to growing length of greenways that "a more strategic approach is needed" and noted the introduction of a trails maintenance grant of up to €20,000. That's integrated in with over €500,000 worth of investment in outdoor leisure operations that are delivered through our area offices and various different programmes such as Tidy Towns."

He concluded: "There needs to be a clear line of responsible on who is looking after the upkeep of these greenways and that's something we need to look at as an executive and with yourselves over the next 12 months."