Pole in road sticks out like sore thumb

THE end (hopefully) may be nigh for the infamous 'pole in the road' at Garryduff, Castlebar.

For years, the pole has been jutting from the tarmac like a sore thumb.

Left 'marooned' following roadworks, the pole has been a subject of conversation in the county town for years.

Councillor Michael Kilcoyne posed the question at a municipal district meeting as to why the pole is still standing.

He might have added that the presence of the pole is not only bizarre – it poses a traffic hazard.

Ann Sweeney, senior executive engineer with Mayo County Council, fielded Councillor Kilcoyne's question.

“We have been in contact with Eircom just to try and get that resolved,” she replied.

“We are ready to complete a footpath there if that (the pole) was gone.”

Councillor Kilcoyne, however, was sceptical that any swift progress would be made on the issue.

“If they are as good at moving the pole as they are at answering their customers, no doubt about it, Westport and Castlebar will be joined together by the time the pole is moved,” he said.

(Councillor Kilcoyne's comment about Castlebar and Westport being joined arose from an earlier discussion about plans that are underway to link Castlebar to Westport in an effort to develop a new regional growth centre).