Fine Gael councillor Peter Flynn is seeking options other than the proposed relief road as part of the N5 project, to provide a link road between the Castlebar and Newport roads in Westport.
In a notice of motion set out by the councillor at this week’s electoral area meeting Cllr Flynn asked, “in light of the lack of progress on the N5 and the increased traffic to the north of Westport that we are provided with at the next area meeting the various options to provide a link between the N5 and N59. The report should include route options, potential time-lines, approximate costings, and financial options.”
Senior executive engineer Padraig Philbin said it is hoped that a CPO will be published at the end of the year, subject to NRA approval, which will include the Westport northern relief road, however Cllr Flynn said that he was “disappointed with the response” and is sick of “NRA waffle”.
The Fine Gael councillor added that Castlebar built two relief roads without NRA assistance, and yet in Westport in the last 30 years “not one square inch of roads have been added to the town”, which is a “terrible indictment” for everyone “sitting around this table”.
Cllr Flynn said with the number of large developments on the Newport Road, the schools and the proposed supermarket, that this “critical piece of infrastructure”, which would be “half a mile maximum of road” is needed for the town.
The Cathaoirleach of Westport Town Council Cllr Myles Staunton said that he sees no harm in setting out the options, while Cllr Margaret Adams said that she would also support the idea of finding other options.
Mr Philbin said that a report will be given at the next area meeting on possibilities available for the road.
