"We're not bullying anyone" - that's the stance from Waterford Council in relation to proposals to extend the Greenway from Dungarvan onto Mallow.
Farmers in West Waterford say they have not been listened to or given fair consultation on plans.
Senior Executive Engineer for Economic Development with Waterford Council, Conor O'Neill says those concerned will be able to have their say.
He addressed the matter at this month's Dungarvan and Lismore Municipal District meeting of the local authority.
"A lot of the railway line is now privately owned, but you have to start at some point so that you have a route that doesn't go 10% or 9% up or down. It is again at a feasibility stage. It will progress through the stages if it does get approved from TII. We're still at that point where they have to give it the green light. We're not, as Councillor Declan Doocey said, we're not bullying anybody here. We're trying to go through a proper process."
"It's at feasibility stage", he continued. "There is no chosen route as of yet, and that will be published and that will go through a process which is not even started. The process we're at now is speaking to landowners, trying to, I suppose, assess their views on where the original route or the original chosen options were put. You have to start at some point."
Cllr. Declan Doocey and Cllr. Pat Nugent described the plans as unfeasible.
"The damage that's going to be done to people's properties will far outweigh the advantages. This is an outrageous plan. Outrageous. This is just unbelievable bullying", claimed Cllr. Doocey.
"There are 90-degree bends and everything", said Cllr. Pat Nugent. "I just don't think it is a runner, and the sooner they call it off, the better."
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