Mayo County Council (MCC) has been handed a €3.5m funding package towards the completion of the new Great Western Greenway between Newport and Achill, Ireland.

Irish transport minister Noel Dempsey and sustainable travel minister Ciaran Cuffe, along with tourism agency Fáilte Ireland, confirmed the investment to expand an initial 18km (11.2-mile) stretch of the route. The first phase of the Greenway runs between Newport and Mulraney and opened in April 2010. Plans will see the route extended from both sides to create a 42km (26.1-mile) foot and cycle path.

Looping around Clew Bay, the Greenway will mainly follow the route of the former Midland Great Western Railway and is co-funded by the Department of Transport and Fáilte Ireland. Dempsey said: "There are about 160 landowners along this route, and without their generosity and commitment to the idea of a Great Western Greenway, this project would not have seen the light of day.

"Delivering the full 42km route will mean thousands more people will cycle or walk the route, and that even more local businesses will benefit from it." MCC cathaoirleach (chair) Michael Burke added: "This is very welcome news and a very worthwhile investment in the tourism infrastructure of the county."