Land Acquisition

Insurance/Indemnities

The Council will indemnify the landowner / farmer against all actions, claims and demands arising from the acquisition of the land for the construction and use of the cycleway.

Fencing/Maintenance

Where necessary, stockproof fences shall be provided to assist in preventing trespass and for the protection of members of the public and animals. Fencing and boundary treatment will be discussed and agreed with the landowner / farmer and provided and maintained by the Council.

Farm Severance 

We are confident that in the vast majority of cases, it will be possible to route the cycleway along farm boundaries and avoid severance. 

Road or Farm Crossings

Where possible, the cycleway avoids crossing private access roads / driveways. However, this is not possible at every location. The project team will engage with the affected property/ landowner to agree the suitable solution at these locations. The health and safety of all users will be considered at the design of the Cycleway will adhere to Transport Infrastructure Ireland's design standards and requirements. 

Screening and Privacy

We will make every effort to route the cycleway away from houses or farm buildings. Where necessary, screening measures such as hedges, fences, etc. will be used to provide adequate privacy

Planning Permissions/Future Development

 A cycleway should not impose any new planning restrictions on adjoining farmland. Should a farmer / landowner adjoining the cycleway, having had land acquired for the cycleway, wish to expand his landholding by acquiring or long-term leasing another property adjoining the other side of the cycleway, the local authority will consider appropriate access arrangements to connect the two farm properties alongside the cycleway.

Nuisance/Crime/Anti-Social Behaviour

The cycleway will be designed, managed, and maintained by the local authority who will put appropriate measures in place and work closely with key stakeholders, like the Gardaí, in keeping with experience gained on other cycleway/ greenway  projects

State-Owned Land

In line with the Code of Best Practice for National and Regional Greenways, we will make every effort to minimise the number of private land holdings directly affected by the proposed cycleway. The strategy will be to use existing suitable state-owned lands (Coillte, Bord na Móna, flood defence, etc.) where possible in determining the preferred route for the cycleway.

Restrictions on Future Activities (How will the construction of the cycleway impact the day to day use of my farm)

A cycleway should not impose any new restrictions on adjoining farmland in relation to normal agricultural activities. 

Disease Control/Dogs

The local authority will comply with any Regulations in connection with the Department of Agriculture Disease Eradication Scheme. Walking of dogs will only be permitted if the dog is on a lead.  

Assessment of Compensation

Compensation will be assessed in accordance with the Code of Best Practice for National and Regional Greenways, 2021

Agronomists

Where a landholding / farm is affected by the preferred route, the ‘project promoter’ which is comprised of the Department of Transport, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, local authorities and other specific stakeholders, will pay for an independent agronomist to assist the landowner / farmer in the process.

Code of Practice setting this out in writing prior to implementation

A Code of Best Practice for National and Regional Greenway Projects was published in December 2021. The Code provides comprehensive information in relation to the process involved in planning, designing and constructing National and Regional Greenways. It includes an overview of the public consultation processes, constraints study, route selection and statutory processes, as well as information about the use of State-owned lands and the acquisition of private lands for developing greenways/ cycleways.

What Happens Next

The project team are continuing to develop a preferred route within or close to the Emerging Preferred Route Corridor under the following criteria and objectives.
• Working with landowners and the public to determine the best possible route and design, for the cycleway within the Emerging Preferred Route Corridor;
• Working with landowners and their agronomist/property adviser to pick the least obstructive route possible, likely to be   along property boundary;
• To commence the Voluntary Land Acquisition Agreement (VLAA) process.
• Minimise impacts to agricultural holdings, especially farm severance;
• Maximise the value of existing state-owned lands and natural amenity.

When will the preferred route be announced, what is the timeline for the project?

What is the Minimum proximity to houses/sheds ?

The cycleway will be designed in accordance with the TII design manuals, technical standards and guidelines. The project team will make every effort to route the cycleway away from houses or farm buildings. Where necessary, screening such as hedges, fences or other suitable screening will be used to provide adequate privacy. 

Can existing infrastructures be used?

In line with the Code of Best Practice for National and Regional Greenways, we will make every effort to maximise the use of existing suitable state-owned lands (Coillte, Bord na Móna, flood defence, etc.) in determining the preferred route for the cycleway. Existing infrastructure can be used where it meets the project objectives. In particular, provides a segregated experience for users, i.e. away from road traffic. It also must provide safe access for people of all abilities not just walkers and cyclists.

Will the cycleway impact the local wildlife and environment?

The project is currently in Phase 3 Design and Environmental Evaluation, part of TII’s  project management guidelines. As part of this phase, the preferred route will be subject to environmental evaluation. This will include undertaking extensive ecological and other environmental surveys across the preferred route to avoid, reduce and/ or offset environmental effects.

Can a link to my local village, school  sports ground etc. be provided?

The Galway to Athlone Castle National Cycleway scheme is part of the Galway to Dublin Cycleway, a high capacity flagship route. Each local authority is exploring ways to maximise the attractiveness of the cycleway and where possible provide links to connect other cycling and walking infrastructure (e.g. Active Travel schemes) to the cycleway subject to a needs assessment, funding, etc.

What happens at road crossings?

 We will make every effort to route the cycleway away from houses or farm buildings. Where necessary, screening measures such as hedges, fences, etc. will be used to provide adequate privacy

When can landowners apply for the first payment?

 An invitation to participate in Voluntary Land Acquisition Agreement negotiations will be issued by the project promoter to landowners approximately twelve months in advance of the intended application date to An Bord Pleanála for planning consent. An early sign-on payment will be paid by the project promoter to the landowner once a Voluntary Land Acquisition Agreement has been signed and the farmer’s / landowner’s solicitor has provided satisfactory evidence that good title is available.