Serious traffic management issues need to be addressed on the Newport Road, Westport and residential areas surrounding a proposed discount store, according to town councillors who flagged the potential problem during their monthly meeting held last week.
Currently planning permission is being sought for Lidl at the site of Northern Feather.
Councillor Margaret Adams said that she welcomed extra employment and supports discount shopping, however traffic on the Newport Road is already “chronic”.
Like Cllr Adams, all councillors wished the applicant well but they were concerned about local residents and the traffic situation. Cllr Brendan Mulroy said that in general the town has “failed miserably” in traffic management.
Martin Keating, who was acting town manager at the meeting, said that he was not privy to when the decision was to be made but was aware that the town manager’s view was that it should be granted.
Meanwhile in other planning news, permission was granted on January 28 for Marger Ltd to construct four retail units, 12 apartments, and a petrol station with car wash facilities and all ancillary site-works at Carrownalurgan, Westport .
