Editorial: Key challenges lie ahead for Mayo's county town councillors
The next sitting of Castlebar Municipal District councillors on Wednesday will play a crucial role in shaping the county town over the next decade.
Several long-awaited projects for the people of Castlebar look set to finally come to fruition. Funding has been allocated for the old post office, and additional financing is available to reinvigorate the town.
Contentious and long-running issues, such as the traffic at Gallows Hill and unsafe pedestrian access around Market Square, have come under the transport authority's scrutiny.
Pedestrianisation versus car parks has become a cultural battleground, as seen in Ennis, Co. Clare, where plans to pedestrianise the old town have met with local concern.
Councillors in Castlebar must balance making the town more pedestrian-friendly for residents while considering the needs of visitors who come for shopping, medical appointments and recreation from parts of Mayo that lack public transport access.
Increased rural links have been a positive trend in recent months, but Stephen Garvey Way was never designed to serve as a large-scale bus station. It's merely a stop, frequently obstructed by motorists.
The town council placed the stop there many years ago, but now forward-thinking and long-term planning are needed to ensure safety for bus users and adequate space to build a station that can meet the demands of a growing population.
Swinford, which once again failed to elect a councillor, has residents upset over the lack of bus connections.
Ballina and Westport serve as the terminus points for public transport in Mayo, but without a designated station, Castlebar could soon lose out on increased links to other parts of the county.
Upon election, Fine Gael Councillor Ger Deere spoke about his desire to get the Imperial Hotel back in use. The people of the town have waited a long time to see any progress.
Deere's party proposed a fresh 'New Energy' during the campaign, and it will be fascinating to see how quickly they can enact a plan for Castlebar focusing on transport and housing.
More people living in the town is better for the town overall. Sprawled development stretches resources, burdens the public purse, and leaves a town with its core ripped out.
Private investors, such as those involved with the coal bunker site and the Castle Street car park plans, would make Castlebar more visually appealing.
A county town should aim high with apartments to meet demand and allow public transportation infrastructure to grow with users.
The ability to navigate such demands while keeping in mind that this is a vital market town for the entire county, and needs to be accessible for cars, will be the test for our newly elected representatives.