No sign for top Mayo tourist destination on new N5 is 'baffling'

THE lack of a sign for Achill on the new N5 has people baffled.

It's the largest island in the country and local Councillor Paul McNamara says he can't understand why there is no sign for it along the route.

He noted how 80% of traffic from the east coast is coming via Westport and on to Newport, yet there is no sign for Achill.

To spend €250 million on a road and yet have nothing signposting a destination like Achill was 'ridiculous', he told a municipal meeting.

It was hard for him to explain at a tourism meeting that under the regulations Achill could not have a sign in Westport.

The council, he was told, is stuck with what is the TII's signage strategy.

When you come out of Dublin, for example, it's the N5 Westport that is signed, whereas Castlebar isn't.

On the N5, it's the end destination that's signed and as you get nearer to the island, Achill is then picked up.