A chopper delivers stone to the pathways around Sliabh Liag.
Mountaineering Ireland has called on Donegal County Council to halt works to put in new pathways at Sliabh Liag.
The group has carried out two visits to the site and said they do not think the pathways are of a high enough standard.
The group first visited the leading tourist site on August 27th and raised concerns that the contract team carrying out the works lacked relevant experience.
The group then invited an internationally recognised expert in upland path management to visit the site.
Dr Bob Aitken visited the site on September 16th, and although the site showed some improvement, the overall work did not meet an acceptable standard, according to Dr Aitken.
A spokesman for Mountaineering Ireland said it is now again calling on Donegal County Council to stop the works.
“Mountaineering Ireland again called on Donegal County Council to halt the work and to bring more relevant expertise into the project.
“Despite these requests work is continuing. Slieve League is an iconic landscape which we have a shared responsibility to protect for the benefit of future generations. The quality of any remedial work at Slieve League should match the quality of this magnificent landscape.
“The skills and techniques to deal effectively with upland path erosion and visitor management in sensitive environments have been developed across Britain over the last four decades. We are in the early stages of building a similar body of expertise in Ireland.
“Through the Helping the Hills initiative Mountaineering Ireland has been working with a number of other organisations to share experience and learning in this area. In the meantime we shouldn’t accept a second-class solution for Slieve League or any of Ireland’s mountains.”
A statement from Donegal County Council said it has noted the call by Mountaineering Ireland.
“Mountaineering Ireland has raised concerns with Donegal County Council in the recent past in relation to works at Sliabh Liag and these concerns have been noted.
“Donegal County Council will ensure that all works on the Sliabh Liag Project will be completed to the highest standard.”
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