Moves to seek solution over 'suspension' of Mayo to Sligo road project

The Minister for Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport Eamon Ryan has confirmed that there would be no funding available for the N17 Knock to Collooney road project "for many years."

As a result of his announcement, Sligo County Council is seeking a meeting with Mayo County Council "to discuss possible avenues to ensure work continues to deliver this essential piece of infrastructure for the economic development of the west."

Design work began on the scheme in 2018 and in August of that year, the Project Appraisal Plan was approved by the Strategic Research and Analysis Division of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) as being compliant with the Public Spending Code and Common Appraisal Framework.

This led to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (T Il) giving approval to progress the planning and design of the scheme in accordance with Tll Project Management Guidelines.

The Emerging Preferred Transport Corridor for the scheme was released on January 31, 2023, followed by a two-month public consultation period.

This scheme forms part of the Ten-T Comprehensive Network and is a core component of the Atlantic Economic Corridor (AEC).

The upgrade will deliver on national policy including key strategic objectives and deliverables in Project Ireland 2040, the National Planning Framework (NPF) and National Development Plan (NDP).

The project aligns with the National Investment Framework for Transport in Ireland (NIFTI) and the Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030.

While the mimister has made it clear that the project is not being removed from National Development Plan, it is also clear that the scheme is effectively suspended if no funding is allocated in the next few years to develop the design and progress to the planning stage.

This leaves the landowners in the 'sterilised' corridor in limbo.