Councillors call for ‘growth hub’ in South Mayo

South Mayo councillors believe the Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District (MD) requires a central development hub town which can act as a feeder location for other towns in the area.

The matter was raised at last week's annual general meeting of the municipal district, which covers a geographical area across south and east Mayo.

“We have seven medium to large towns in our municipal area," commented Independent Cllr Richard Finn. "Each of those towns has played a role and particular part in the development and prosperity of the area. But it’s unbelievable that in an area the size of this we haven’t got one central development hub town that everyone can work out of. I have been saying this until I’m blue in the face for several years."

The long-serving councillor claimed that the larger towns in the county don’t want such a development to take place.

“If we don’t fight as municipal area we are going to be driven back again by the three major towns in the county. They don’t want us. Even though we are the largest muncipal area, they don’t want us to have a central development town hub. We have to fight for that and successive chairpersons and successive councillors will have to fight the case,” he added.

Cllr Damien Ryan said councillors need to “drive on” the strategic development zone (SDZ) for Ireland West Airport Knock and that the N17 become the Atlantic Economic Corridor. He said a "growth centre" as alluded to by Cllr Finn will aid these developments.

“We are a third of the councillors, we are the size of Co Roscommon and we are very well entitled to one. With the Western Rail Corridor on the cusp of being delivered into Claremorris, I think it’s very important that there is a growth centre in the south of the county.

“It’s an absolute no-brainer,” he added.

Mayo Co Council Director of Services Tom Gilligan said Claremorris-Swinford MD, should continue to “strive to be the best".

“One of the things that I think we need to ensure happens is around the N17 from Tubbercurry to Knock and make sure that gets back on the agenda. And also Ireland West Airport Knock - it’s a great asset and fantastic piece of infrastructure.”