The first public consultation on the Sligo, Leitrim, Northern Counties, Railway (SLNCR) Greenway has opened.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, in partnership with Leitrim County Council, Sligo County Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Department for Infrastructure, are developing the project to provide a high-quality greenway from Enniskillen to Sligo town, passing through Letterbreen, Belcoo, Blacklion, Glenfarne, Manorhamilton, Dromahiar, Ballintogher and Collooney using the disused railway route.

The development of the greenway will hope to attract domestic and international visitors to come, explore and stay in the region.

The first phase is concept and feasibility. The purpose of Phase One is to develop and investigate in further detail the feasibility of the project, to identify a suitable study area for the examination of preliminary route options, and to implement the project management structure.

The public consultation opened on Monday, January 16 and runs until Friday, February 10 at 5pm.

The consultation is being held online, while there will also be open days or in-person events.

Fermanagh and South Tyrone Sinn Féin MLA, Jemma Dolan, has encouraged the public to have their voices heard during the consultation.

Speaking ahead of the consultation’s launch, she said: “A public consultation on the Enniskillen to Sligo Greenway is opening on Monday, January 16 and I would encourage interested parties to take part.

“The Greenway will consist of a cycle path from Sligo to Enniskillen, passing through Blacklion, Belcoo and Letterbreen.

“This will be of enormous benefit to local users, and also to the tourist industry in West Fermanagh and Enniskillen.

“It has the potential to attract international visitors with Ireland’s only island town, the Stairway to Heaven, and the Marble Arch Caves all on the Greenway’s doorstep.”

Miss Dolan urged people to attend one of the public consultations which get under way from January 24, adding: “I will definitely be throwing my full support behind this great initiative.”

On January 26, from 10.30am to 8pm, a public consultation event will be held at Belcoo Community Centre.

Another event will be held in The Rainbow Ballroom, Glenfarne on January 25, from 10.30am to 8pm, while the first event takes place on January 24 from 10.30am to 8pm in Sligo Park Hotel and Leisure Club.

Hard copies of brochures and comments sheets are available from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, as well as from the respective Cavan, Leitrim and Sligo County Council offices.

For further information, see www.slncr-greenway.com.

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