Galway Bay fm newsroom - County Councillors are voicing their differences over the future use of the Western rail corridor between Athenry and Milltown.
A motion calling for a feasibility study on the hotly-debated section of railway has been defeated by councillors at County Hall.
Tuam area councillor Shaun Cunniffe said a study should be carried out to determine whether a greenway could be installed along the disused track.
He says the installation of a greenway would have a secondary benefit of protecting the railway should it ever come back into use.
Councillor Cunniffe said the feasibility study could be requested through the local authority - but funded by the Department of Transport.
However, a heated debate on the matter was followed by a tied vote, after some councillors branded the proposed study a 'waste of money.'
As a result, it came down to Cathaoirleach Michael Connolly - who's a member of West on Track - to deliver a casting vote, and the motion was defeated.
