'Spine' linking north to south Mayo 'needs urgent investment'

An appeal for major investment in the N58 route between Foxford and Ballyvary has been made.

Senator Mark Duffy said the large number of HGVs, cars and buses that use this route every day are constantly in jeopardy because of the poor condition of the road.

"The N58 is the spine that interlinks the north and south of County Mayo.

"Yet, it is in desperate condition and requires investment."

The Ballina-based representative said when he was sitting as a councillor in Mayo County Council, the local transport plans were rolled out.

"These were identified as the silver bullet to sort all improvements at a local level in communities and neighbourhoods in large towns.

"In Mayo, we had Westport, Castlebar and Ballina creating local transport plans.

"We were told these plans would be the bibles from which engineers would cherry-pick projects and deliver them.

"We have seen zero delivery on any of the projects identified under the local transport plans.

"Consultants have been paid and overpaid for their work and we still do not have projects," he added.