Fine Gael councillor Cyril Burke has said that contact has been made with a number of businesses and residents along Newline and that the response to the work has been overwhelmingly positive.
Cllr Burke said: "I am delighted that Newline is now close to completion and understand that the businesses located on the street are very happy with the work carried out.
"I was disappointed but not surprised to see some local councillors make desperate attempts to spin a positive into a negative on this particular piece of infrastructure for Castlebar. We have seen the increasing efforts by a few in this town to cast a dark light over every piece of good news that is delivered. Castlebar is a town that is improving all the time and I am very glad to see that some businesses saw an increase in trade over the Christmas period. While not every business yet feels the recovery, the Government have a solid plan in place to secure that recovery and make sure it is felt by every household and business here in Mayo."
He concluded: "I frankly find it a sad state of affairs that when a development like Newline, which the town has waited over 50 years for, comes close to completion, certain councillors, true to form, try and drag it down to their usual negativity from which only they benefit. From contact with thew businesses on the street I understand that the vast majority are very satisfied with what has been achieved here. The criticism was neither based in fact nor reality and should be called for what it is — bad politics and negativity for our constantly improving town."
