Fine Gael Spokesperson on Tourism and Sport, Deputy Alan Dillon TD, has welcomed over half a million euro being allocated to Mayo under the Additional Outdoor Infrastructure Fund.
The projects benefit each of the Municipal Districts within Mayo County Council with funding ranging from €7,500 up to €100,000. A total of €516,100 has been awarded to Mayo by the National Transport Authority.
Deputy Dillon said: "I wish to commend the officials at Mayo County Council for the quick turnaround on getting applications submitted for this funding which was only announced on April 26.
"It represents an incredible effort by council officials to maximise the funding coming to Mayo under the €15 million fund and ensuring shovel-ready projects can be commenced as soon as possible.
"The funding for these 11 projects not only benefits Mayo’s larger towns but it filters all the way through to our smaller villages and communities.
"The largest funding went to the public realm improvement for Spencer Street in Castlebar with €100,000 being allocated. This will be a two-phase project so some of the works are only the first step in creating transformational public spaces which will allow for greater socialising and outdoor activities in an accelerated manner."
Spencer Street in Castlebar has been allocated €100,000 towards an overall enhancement of footpaths and public realm, it will see the elimination of a traffic lane and the creation of a oneway traffic system with pedestrian crossings. The project will have a two-phase approach, phase one is immediate measures to create the space and one-way system and the second phase includes the provision of kerbing and paving. €80,000 has been allocated for parklets to facilitate socialising and casual picnicking in Westport, Louisburgh, Newport and Belmullet and €10,000 has been allocated for signage to encourage off-street parking in lieu of parking lost to the parklets. €85,000 has been allocated for public realm safety improvements in Westport town centre.
The other projects to get funding were: (1 ) Pedestrianisation of Laneway in Ballyhaunis - €7,500; (2 ) Pedestrian Protection measures in Ballyhaunis Square - €20,000; (3 ) Bohola Road & Street Space Reallocation – first step in creating a village centre - €40,000; (4 ) Seating and Benches, flowers planters and bins for each Municipal District - €90,000; (€7K each for Claremorris, Ballinrobe, Swinford and Ballyhaunis ), (€3.5K each for Foxford, Kiltimagh, Charlestown and Knock ), (€3K each for Kilmaine, Cong, Bohola, Kilkelly, Ballindine, Irishtown and Shrule ), (€2.5K each for Hollymount, The Neale, Cross, Kilmovee, Tooreen, Bekan, Brickens, Mayo Abbey, Carracastle & Aughamore ); (5 ) Foxford Road & Street Space Reallocation – portion of Main Street to be redesigned - €43,610; (6 ) Kilkelly – works to the Square and decluttering to make better use of public space - €25,000 and (7 ) Kiltimagh Square and Street Space Reallocation - €15,000.
