NTA 'pass the buck' over Mayo bus stops

THE buck has been passed to Mayo County Council over the erection of two bus stops in Newport, a meeting of the local authority has been told

They were put in place by the National Transport Authority (NTA) - on double yellow lines - but were removed 48 hours later following a public outcry led by local councillors.

Now, however, the NTA has 'thrown the council under the bus', Councillor Brendan Mulroy has claimed, and has passed the buck for erecting bus stops back to the local authority.

George's Street was the location chosen by the NTA for the stops, a street that has undergone significant improvement works to make it safer.

The council did not erect the stops and made contact with the NTA after they appeared as they created a safety hazard.

Now the NTA was saying responsibility to locate them rests with the council, said Councillor Mulroy. Were they correct in saying this, he asked management.

“Mayo County Council had no hand, act or part in this but the NTA are after throwing Mayo County Council under the bus,” he said.

Councillor Mulroy also questioned what cost had been involved in this.

Director of services Tom Gilligan said a bus stop is not just put up willy-nilly and there has to be criteria.

He would seek a report on the matter.