Mixed views on northern Castlebar relief road proposal

THERE are mixed views among Castlebar councillors about the need for a northern relief route in the town.

Councillor Martin McLoughlin has again raised the issue of an outer relief road linking the Pontoon and Newport roads, but some other members say the local authority have looked at this before and it was ruled out after local objections.

Councillor McLoughlin argues that the road would relieve congestion at bottlenecks on that side of town.

Senior engineer Ann Sweeney said the proposal could be looked at as part of the review of the development plan.

However, Councillor Michael Kilcoyne said he would be concerned if plans were being drawn up for that side of town. The residents had made it very clear, and it was taken out of the plan before.

"We don't want to be wasting time drawing up something that will never see the light of day," he said.

Saying he didn't want to hear it again, the cathaoirleach of the local municipal district, Councillor Blackie Gavin, said it was totally rejected before and the residents don't want it.

There was, he added, no bottleneck on the north side of town.

Ms. Sweeney did point out that no specific location has been looked at or referred to.

And Councillor McLoughlin reiterated that he was talking about an outer relief road, which had nothing to do with plans drawn up in previous years. It would be at least outside the speed limits. They could look at the different options.

"It was necessary 20 years ago and is more necessary as time goes on," he said.

District head Mr. Iarla Moran said they would discuss it with road design about the medium and long-term thinking on it.