Frustration grows in Westport at delays in €2.4m link road

The ongoing delay in delivering a promised slip road between Westport Industrial Estate and the Golf Course Road and onto the Newport Road was heavily criticised by members of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District at their April meeting. 

Raising the issue, Cllr John O’Malley claimed he had information that the slip road would have to go out to tender again despite been told ten weeks earlier that construction workers were on site.

“There is no one on site and a machine put in there is going rusty. I want the true information, what is going on? If the contractor is not on site and it is a case of back to the drawing board, I request a roundabout be put in the industrial estate, because no truck can unload and drivers have to back into other people’s properties to do so.” 

Area engineer Heather Gibbons assured Cllr O’Malley that work is indeed in hand for the slip road and that the contractor was on site and has cleared trees and shrubs. However, no actual construction work has taken place as an archaeological study is being carried out and Mayo County Council is also liaising with the ESB regarding overhead power lines.

"It is completely unfounded to say the works are not going ahead. For the record and clarity, there was no roundabout included in the Part 8 planning passed by the members regarding Westport Industrial Estate, so as regards planning, what we have is a link road and Phase 2 of the Westport Industrial Estate.” 

Cllr O’Malley said he found this information “unbelievable”, adding that the previous municipal district manager had stated that the archaeological test was already done. Cllr Brendan Mulroy said he too was in disbelief, noting: “We were told three years ago the report was being done. I really don’t know what we are doing here because that is the information we fed back to the general public but it wasn’t even factually correct. How can senior management stand over that a survey that did not happen? A senior manager, our MD Head or somebody, needs to stand up here.” 

The area engineer contended: “A portion of that study was done so it could go to planning, this is the second phase. I understand that the archaeological report did not find anything and we are predominantly waiting on the ESB to come back. I will get an update on when the report is to be completed.” 

Cathaoirleach Cllr Peter Flynn said he could hear the frustration of members, adding: “We are talking about 13 new sites to be opened for use and over €2 million spent on the contract, so this is significant for the district and Mayo in general, given there is such a shortage of commercial sites.” 

Director of Services Joanne Grehan described the €2.4m project as "very significant".

"These things take time. The testing took place as part of the Part 8 planning process and is now moving on to the next phase and we just need to look at that archaeology testing again. It will be done, they are on site and we won’t be found wanting in regard to progressing this project, so please bear with us and work with us for it to advance as quickly as we can. We appreciate your frustration.” 

Ms Gibbons added: “I have just received an update. The archaeologist will be on site next week for three weeks.”