Slip road urgent to relieve Westport traffic pressure

WESTPORT councillors have highlighted the urgency in developing a slip road at the Golf Course Road to ease traffic pressures.

It will take in lands which will form part of the latest phase of the industrial park on the Newport Road.

Councillor Christy Hyland, at a municipal meeting, said they were told the road would open the same time as the new N5.

Management clarified that was not the commitment given. The commitment was to progress it through the planning and design process and that is being done.

District head Padraig Walsh said an archaeological assessment has been done and a report is being prepared for the part 8 planning application.

There is no funding available for the road, he added. The plan is to fund it from the sale of sites in the latest phase of the industrial park.

Councillor Johnny O'Malley felt there was 'dragging of heels' on it. Why was funding not looked for when the new road was going on, he asked, saying it might not be got now for two or three years.

With 50 new houses being built on the Golf Course Road, meaning more traffic when they're occupied, it needed to be open by then.

It is an important road for traffic management in the town, said Councillor Hyland. Highlighting the various sports clubs and residential population, he predicted 'logjam' at the top of the Golf Course Road if the slip road doesn't go ahead.

Director of services Catherine McConnell said the work is going ahead. They are committed to the road as part of the expansion of the industrial park.

It will be the council's own resources that will build it from the sale of the last number of units.

Mr. Walsh said the project is about developing 17 new industrial sites, and the link road which is part of that will be a great added bonus.

There is no funding available other than what they raise from the site sales.