Two councillors in the Westport-Belmullet Municipal District have called for a meeting between the council executive, councillors and local stakeholders in Newport to be arranged, to plan the future development in the town where a number of projects are expected to be delivered in the coming years.
Cllr Brendan Mulroy proposed the meeting, saying at the July meeting of the Westport-Belmullet Municipal District that following the announcement of major funding for projects by former Minster Michael Ring last month, along with the completion of a new sewerage treatment plant and other works - there was a good reason for a meeting to be held to look at how to develop the town further and keep it growing as it has done in recent years.
Cllr Peter Flynn backed up Cllr Mulroy's proposal saying: "This is a positive move, it has huge potential and Newport has come on tremendously in the last number of years.
"There is a major project that needs to be undertaken and I think all the stakeholders need to be involved in it and over the next four years of this council it would be a great thing to see can we get a project like this delivered on."
At the end of June, outgoing Minister Ring made the announcement that under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, €355,764 had, been allocated to develop the Newport Regeneration Project which aims to: (1 ) Redevelop Local Authority/community-owned derelict buildings at Barrack Hill to provide for a new Enterprise Hub workspace facility and a new Tourism Office; (2 ) Support Public Realm works along Medlicott and Main Streets, the bridge, and Barrack Hill to include the provision of paved public open spaces, wider footpaths, safe pedestrian crossings, improved disability access, off-road cycling routes, and general streetscape enhancements within the town centre; (3 ) Create a new Greenway Cycling Hub and visitor car parking facilities at Barrack Hill; (4 ) Develop a new off-road greenway and walking route as an alternative to the Georges Street on-road safety blackspot and (5 ) Provide new “Dark Skies-friendly” public lighting within the town-centre project area.
