Motorway the only solution for N17 - Mayo councillor

MAYO Councillor Gerry Murray has called on the government to review its current policy of only upgrading the N17, as opposed to building a new motorway from Charlestown to Claremorris.

In a statement, Charlestown-based Councillor Murray said: “The roll-out of second class, substandard road infrastructure not only has economic consequences in terms of balanced regional development, but also in terms of road safety.

“The recent number of fatalities on the N17 is completely unacceptable, and sadly could have been avoided if previous governments had properly invested in our road infrastructure.”

He continued: “The route options study that is currently underway proposes a single carriageway from Collooney to Charlestown, at which point the road will taper off and feed into the existing N7, which is to be upgraded via a series of junction realignments.

“This will in no way address the current road safety issues along the route, and is nothing more than a yellow pack solution, second class infrastructure for second class citizens.

“The decision by the government to abandon the original motorway proposal from Collooney to Knock was reckless in the extreme, in circumstances where land was purchased to accommodate the intersection of the N5 and the new M17 at Charlestown.

“This must now be put back on the table.

“When the current route option study is completed, phase one should be a motorway from Collooney to Curry. A new route option study should then be commenced for a motorway from Curry to Claremorris.

“Anything less is totally unacceptable in terms of road safety and balanced regional development. A motorway is the only option.”