Local politicians have called on Mayo County Council and the contractors carrying out work on the new N5 to listen to the suggestions put forward by the local community council in Islandeady, to deal with a suggested road closure in the area as part of the works.
The Islandeady Community Council made a submission in relation to the proposed closure of the L-1811 from the junction of the N5 for a potential three-month period, from the end of May to August 20 this year.
Fine Gael Castlebar based Councillor Ger Deere said of the community council's concerns: "I visited on site yesterday (Tuesday, April 6 ) evening and I fully support the alternative route the community have proposed as it offers the best solution.
"For the community at large, the proposed road closure by the contractors will cause huge inconvenience to all in the community and it's unfair to impose this on this wonderful community.
"I am pleading with the contractors and Mayo County Council to take on board the concerns of the community and to use the alternative route suggested by the,. I compliment the community for the professional manner they are handling this issue and I offer my full support to them to have this matter resolved to the community's satisfaction."
His party colleague Senator Paddy Burke also supported the community, telling the Mayo Advertiser that he wanted to see the council work with the community and look at the proposals they have put forward.
In a letter to Mayo County Council, the Islandeady Community Council said they support the project, despite only being able to access the road from either Westport or Castlebar: "However, we object vehemently to the proposed road closure of the main (L-1811 ) and the only road that runs through our community.
"This closure will have a major impact on those who reside along the L-1811 road, those living in the wider area and those who use this road regularly on their way to and from work. As it is, this road is unsuitable for the current volume of traffic, the alternative proposed roads are time consuming, totally unsuitable, extremely unsafe and dangerous."
They went on to say that the proposed alternative route is 9km of a narrow single lane roadway which would have to facilitate in the region of 1,000 vehicles a day. The proposed route would make it difficult for people using facilities in the village such as the local church, school and GAA club amongst others, according to the community council.
As part of their submission the community council put forward a proposal for an alternate route, saying: "As part of the road development, an access road is to be provided to land owners along the western bank of the river. If this road is constructed first (approx 200m ) it can link with one of the already constructed temporary bridges to allow access to the Westport road.
"The north side ramp and new cemetery road can then be constructed to completion, which can then be used to gain access to the Westport road, via the old graveyard road and allow the southside ramp to be constructed. This option may result in some re-sequencing of works but it is, in our view, easily achievable. We understand significant resources have been allocated to this project."
