Several thousand people have attended a rally in Tuam, Co Galway, in support of a proposed greenway between Athenry and Milltown.
Galway County Council will vote tomorrow on a motion calling for a feasibility study to be carried out into the viability of a cycle route, along a section of disused rail track, north of Athenry.
Those in support of the project say that the development of a greenway would not compromise the possible future provision of a rail service along the same route.
They want local representatives to start the ball rolling on the first phase of such an initiative at tomorrow's council meeting.
While there is strong support for the cycle trail, others contend that the focus should be on restoring rail services between Athenry and Claremorris, the second phase of the Western Rail Corridor.
A rail service between Galway and Limerick was reinstated seven years ago.
The West On Track campaign points to an increase in passenger traffic on the rail link south of Athenry as justification for an extension of train services northward.
The Programme for Government contains a provision to examine the benefits of such a service.
No decision will be made until this process is completed.
