Regional strategy (RSES) · Northern and Western Region
Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020–2032
The regional strategy for the Northern and Western Region, including the Galway Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan.
Northern and Western Regional Assembly · January 2020 · 320 pages
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- 5.8 Our Natural Networks In recent years, several exemplar Greenway Projects, including Mayo’s 42km Great Western Greenway from Westport to Achill, has stimulated the demand for developing a Network of multi-activity recreational trails for locals and visitors alike. Such facilities will significantly add to the overall recreational offer and present a cultural and socioeconomic dividend, whilst improving the health and well-being of our communities. The success of these networks may best be harnessed by connecting people with places of natural and built heritage, along lakes, canals, railway lines (used, and disused), rivers, forest trails, and scenic routes. In harnessing this potential the importance of these features as ecological stepping stones will be an integral part of their development. GREENWAYS A National Greenway Strategy (NGS) has been published by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS). The objective of this Strategy is to assist in the strategic development of nationally and regionally significant Greenways in appropriate locations constructed to an appropriate standard in order to deliver a quality experience for all Greenways users. It also aims to increase the number and geographical spread of Greenways of scale and quality around the country over the next 10 years with a consequent significant increase in the number of people using Greenways as a visitor experience and as a recreational amenity. There is an excellent opportunity now to develop new Greenways in a way which can transform more rural areas around the country, provide a wonderful experience for visitors and locals, and contribute to the health of the region. The Aim of the ‘Strategy for Future Development of National and Regional Greenways’ (SFDNRG), published by Dept of Transport, Tourism and Sport, July 2018, is to develop National (at least 100km) and Regional (at least 20km, but preferably 40km or more) trail networks as a unique alternative means for visitors to enjoy rural Ireland, as well as protecting and promoting natural assets.Northern & Western Regional Assembly 201 5 Growth Ambition 2: Environment – Natural Region
- Figure 55: Our Natural Networks (Greenways and Blueways) The SFDNRG will provide the framework for the future development of Greenways and enable the best outcomes for state investment in this area. It should be acknowledged that presently there are no dedicated long-distance, or short distance, cycling/greenway routes which link Northern Ireland with the Republic. A Regional and intra-Regional cycleway network would support the expansion of the Western and Northern Region as an attractive destination for tourists, potentially linking and extending several existing Greenway Projects (see Figure 55) that are in operation, or in planning on an All Island basis, which includes the following key projects: g The Great Western Greenway (Mayo County Council): 42km Westport – Achill. Stage: Operational, Constructed along disused Balfour Railway Line. g SLNCR (Sligo Leitrim Northern Counties Railway) Greenway. g Collooney to Athenry Greenway (aka Quiet Man Greenway). g Boyne Valley to Lakelands (Navan to Kingscourt). g The Ulster Canal Greenway, (Monaghan County Council, Cavan County Council, Mid- Ulster Borough Council, Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Omagh and Fermanagh District Council): 4.2km route open. Work in progress (Phase 2, Smithboro – Middletown, 22km, in progress – Planning Stage). g North-West Greenway Network (Donegal County Council and Derry County Council): Derry – Buncrana. Stage: At Public Consultation stage (route options). Overall route, 32km via Tooban and Bridgend. g Letterkenny to Burtonport Greenway, (primarily former rail-line). g Donegal Town – Ballybofey (along former railline). g Connemara Greenway: 6km of route open, overall route 72km from Galway City to Clifden. Oughterard – Clifden section: Planning Permission granted. g Cavan and Leitrim Railway Greenway. g Dublin – Galway National Greenway. g Eurovelo Routes 1 and 2.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 202 5 Growth Ambition 2: Environment – Natural Region
- REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES RPO 5.18 The Regional Assembly shall collaborate with Local Authorities, Fáilte Ireland, Waterways Ireland, DTAS, and other relevant stakeholders in developing an integrated network of Greenways across the region’s catchments. To support, and enable the development of sustainable Greenway projects, the NWRA will encourage and promote: (a) The advancement and growth of Greenways through several Key National and Regional Greenway Projects, which are high capacity, and which can in the medium/long term be extended and interlinked across County Boundaries and with Local Greenways, and other cycling/walking infrastructure. (b) Prioritisation of Greenways of scale and appropriate standard that have significant potential to deliver an increase in activity tourism to the region and are regularly used by overseas and domestic visitors, and locals, thereby contributing to a healthier society through increased physical activity. (c) The appropriate development of local businesses, and start-ups in the vicinity of Greenway Projects. (d) The development of Greenways in accordance with an agreed code of practice. (e) Collaborative development of Greenways and Blueways, including feasibility and route selection studies to minimise impacts on environmentally sensitive areas. RPO 5.19 The Assembly supports the further development of Greenways as part of the Outdoor Recreational Plan for Public Lands and Waters in Ireland 2017-2021’, as part of an overall improvement of facilities to enhance health and wellbeing across society. CASE STUDIES OUR WAY: INTERREG OUR WAY is an INTERREG project that aims to contribute to conserving, protecting, promoting and developing natural and cultural heritage in using Greenways as sustainable and smart transportation links in rural areas. The NWRA intends to improve coordination among the different key actors; to develop governance systems to manage Greenways; to identify models and good practices for the protection and maintenance of Greenways; to identify financial instruments and funding for Greenways and to promote Greenways and product development. NATIONAL MOUNTAIN BIKE CENTRE, COOLANEY National Mountain Biking Centre at Coolaney is currently under construction. When complete it is expected to attract 50,000 visitors annually. If the Mountain Bike Centre is used as a trailhead for the Sligo Greenway, this could benefit all users, as there will be facilities available, including showers allowing for reprieve.Northern & Western Regional Assembly 203 5 Growth Ambition 2: Environment – Natural Region
- BLUEWAYS Blueways are natural recreational trails on or alongside our loughs, rivers, canals and coast that provide scenic routes into rural Ireland using multiple outdoor activities to navigate the trails. There are several Blueways established in the region, such as: g North West Mayo to South Galway: Keem Beach, Old Head, Inishbofin, Killary Fjord and Mannin Bay g Shannon Blueway: Drumshanbo – Carrick on Shannon – Roosky – Lanesborough. g Shannon Erne Leitrim: Ballinamore – Ballyconnell - Belturbet. g Lough Derg Blueway: Portumna – Killaloe/ Scarriff. g Lough Ree – Lake of Kings. As well as providing amenity and touring routes, our Blueways provide opportunities for rural development initiatives that sustain rural communities. REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES RPO 5.20 To support and facilitate the continued development of the region’s Blueways along existing waterways and through the reopening of disused waterways, such as the Ulster Canal. RPO 5.21 To promote, support and enable collaborative networks to realise the economic opportunities presented by Blueways.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 204 5 Growth Ambition 2: Environment – Natural Region
- OUR BOGS AND PEATWAYS In addition to our Greenways and Blueways, our region has significant additional assets, through our bogs and peatways. Our Peatlands and wetlands are the second most widespread land cover type in the Northern and Western Region, covering about 25% of the region. Peatlands and their supporting wetland environs are susceptible to hydrological change as well as water and airborne pollutants (nutrients) that are associated with settlement growth and agricultural intensification. Ammonia deposition presents a potential pathway for impact to peatland habitats, as adverse impacts to peatlands can be driven by changes resulting from activities undertaken at a considerable distance from a site. The National Peatlands Strategy gives direction to our approach to peatland management including bog conservation and restoration. In addition to the Peatlands Strategy 2015, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has also published the National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan (2017-2022) which outlines the approach to be taken specifically for the conservation and management of the raised bog SAC sites. Our climate is conducive to the widespread development of bogs of different types ranging from the blanket bogs in the west to the raised bogs in the midlands. The biodiversity supported by the different bog types varies considerably and in many cases make them unique within Europe, which presents a unique value proposition for our region. Active bogs also play an important role in combating climate change by removing excess carbon dioxide from the air and placing it into long term storage for thousands of years. Intact boglands are a habitat, for plants and animals, and many of these sites are currently designated as SACs and SPAs. Bogs are ancient landscapes, that in some areas have remained untouched for thousands of years, and represent a window to our past. Additionally, there are areas not subject to legislative protection although they are of high biodiversity and conservation value and contribute to the concept of ‘green infrastructure’ that needs to be conserved and utilised for our health and well-being.Northern & Western Regional Assembly 205 5 Growth Ambition 2: Environment – Natural Region
- There are significant areas of worked out or partially worked out bogs across the region, particularly in Roscommon, Mayo and East Galway. A number of these sites lie within Bord na Mona’s ownership. Whilst the future uses of these sites can be best determined on a site by site basis, some potential uses for worked out bogland are identified in Bord na Mona’s publication ‘Strategic Framework for the future use of Bogs’ as follows: g Alternative Energy: Wind, Biomass, Solar. g Agriculture. g Tourism and Amenity uses. g Horticulture. g Forestry. g Biodiversity, and ecosystem related uses. A key consideration for our region is to sustainably harness these value propositions to deliver maximum economic, social and environmental benefit to the region and wider afield. The future growth and infrastructure necessary to harness the potential of our region must be developed in a manner that ensures that the biodiversity of both intact and worked out peatlands is maintained and enhanced. The preparation of feasibility studies will be a key instrument in progressing these propositions. In some cases, this shall require appropriate action to be taken to address illegal dumping of waste material that is often associated with remote and wild areas such as bogs, which can lead to deterioration of these habitats and the unique flora and fauna they support, with obvious social, economic and environmental consequences. Ireland’s necessary transition away from carbonintensive sources of energy, towards more sustainable, renewable energy sources, will have a significant impact in the Midland counties in particular, including Roscommon. This will have immediate repercussions for the workers in these carbon-intensive sectors, their families, and the wider communities. Government has committed to delivering a whole of Government approach, and to working with local stakeholders, to ensure that a just transition is provided to those impacted by the transition to a low-carbon economy. The NWRA will support the region through the transition. The Just Transition Fund will initially be targeted at the Midlands and will support retraining and reskilling workers and assist local communities and businesses in the Midlands to adjust to the low carbon transition. The NWRA will engage with local stakeholders, including the Midlands Transition Team, on the application of the funding.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 206 5 Growth Ambition 2: Environment – Natural Region
- 5.9 Forestry and Woodlands Our forestry is diverse in its make-up and encompasses large areas of native woodland, which are both privately and publicly owned, as well as commercially planted swathes of our countryside. Coniferous forest comprises around 3.7% land cover type in our region, with transitional woodland-scrub making up approx. 4.5%. This is below the national level of 10.7% and substantially below the EU average of 38%. The region’s forests are primarily planted for their economic value but they are also of value in terms of biodiversity and climate change, through the sequestration of carbon in our forests, recreational value and also tourism potential. Ireland’s forestry sector is striving to increase forestry cover and whilst there have been forestry practices that have contributed to water quality issues such as the release of suspended solids, acidification of watercourses, flooding, loss and disturbance of riverine habitat, there is growing concern regarding its potential impact upon rural communities. This includes concern that afforestation is having an impact upon the economic viability of farming practices, as land values increase beyond the economic viability of indigenous farming enterprises; They are seen to be adversely impacting upon community cohesion, with the perception that forestry is resulting in rural communities being isolated and on occasion enclosed by forestry plantations. These issues are not easily resolved within the land-use planning framework, as afforestation does not require consent under the planning acts. Nonetheless, the issues need to be addressed if Ireland’s forest industry is to meet its targets. It is appropriate that the RSES provide a platform for this to be considered, through a Regional Fora/Working Group, thus ensuring that a framework is available to safeguard rural communities, and maximise the potential of forests to add value, through rural jobs, directly and indirectly, and to provide environmental benefits to this region.Northern & Western Regional Assembly 207 5 Growth Ambition 2: Environment – Natural Region
- REGIONAL POLICY OBJECTIVES RPO 5.22 To protect and conserve our designated peatlands and bogs for reasons of biodiversity, ecosystem services, carbon sinks, areas of habitat importance, amenity and landscape value. RPO 5.23 To establish a Regional Fora that shall prepare an audit of worked out bogs and peatlands within our region and to identify strategic sites and propositions of regional value, including but not limited to areas such as renewable energy, tourism, biodiversity, climate mitigation, education, recreation and amenity. RPO 5.24 A Regional Fora to be established to set out a framework for sustainable afforestation across the region that enables government policy to grow the sector and that addresses community concerns and perceptions.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 208 5 Growth Ambition 2: Environment – Natural Region
- 6Growth Ambition 3: Connectivity - Connected Region 209
- Growth Ambition 3: Connectivity - Connected Region 6.1 Background This Growth Ambition focuses on ‘Connectivity’ and demonstrates how we plan to manage our transport and digital infrastructure over the next 20 years, to support the vision we have for the region in response to our changing environment. The purpose of this chapter is to identify key issues relevant to the provision of transport and digital infrastructure, the key options for addressing those issues, and the subsequent financial implications for the next 20 years. The provision of prudently managed transport and digital infrastructure is key to delivering our vision. Distinctly in the context of the Northern and Western Region, which has a particularly dispersed settlement pattern and lacks comparable critical mass evident in other parts of the island. The strategy outlines how we plan to better integrate land-use and transport planning which, in turn, enhances the connectivity of people and places by promoting sustainable transport options for people of all age groups and levels of mobility. It also focuses upon how the digital economy can enable our region, growing exports, innovation, investment and productivity – attained through building new sound partnerships and facilitating mutual connections and collaboration.Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020-2032 210 6
Source Northern and Western Regional Assembly: Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy 2020–2032 (January 2020) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.