Time to open up Mayo military barracks

THE wheels of local government turn very slowly in this country. In fact people can be forgiven if they believe they have gone into reverse.

Councils and councillors come up with sensible proposals but the heavy hand of bureaucracy often gets in the way.

The purchase of Castlebar Military Barracks some years ago by Mayo County Council was warmly welcomed by the people of Castlebar.

The barracks is a wonderful piece of infrastructure in the centre of the county town with vast potential.

However, whilst there has been much verbal discussion about the barracks, nothing positive has emerged in relation to the long-term development of the building.

It has been suggested the barracks could be used to accommodate students attending the Atlanta University in Castlebar.

This is a sensible proposal. Any action that advances the cause of the university must be welcome.

Accommodation for third-level students in this country has reached crisis point.

Some oveseas students have been the victims of scams which has resulted in the loss of large sums of money.

They have been guaranteed accommodation by tricksters and the wool has been pulled over their innocent eyes.

One can only imagine the immense damage done to Ireland’s reputation abroad by this type of fraudulence.

One of the projects mooted for Castlebar Military Barracks was the installation of a roadway from the car park at the rear of Lavelles old bakery, Main Street.

The route of the roadway would lead from the rear entrance of the barracks, at Springfield, through the barrack square and on to the Mall.

The roadway would be lit during the hours of darkness; the route would also include flower beds and other appropriate attractions.

There are many Castlebar people who have never stood inside the barracks.

The roadway would open up the centre of Castlebar to local people and visitors. It could also prove a major tourist attraction for the county town.

What more can I say?

Time to get on with the job of linking two major areas in the centre of Castlebar.

There is absolutely no reason why this project cannot get underway in the immediate future.

My understanding is that a local contractor has been chosen to build the new road. It is time to open up Castlebar Military Barracks to the residents of the county town and the people of Mayo.

It is a case of now or never.