New sliproad in Westport 'will go ahead' in 2025
Independent Cllr John O'Malley is running for re-election in Westport.
A Westport councillor has queried the absence of works on a proposed new slip road connecting the new social housing development on the Golf Course Road in Westport, which is expected to officially open in January 2025.
Cllr John O’Malley told the December meeting of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District (MD) that "nothing [has] happened" on the sliproad.
"Those houses are going to be open next month and not one thing is done on the proposed sliproad. It is supposed to be a relief road in through the industrial estate and onto the N5.
"It was promised to us by the former MD Head Padraig Walsh who told us it would definitely be in place by the time the houses opened. He said the archaeology was done on it and it was ready to roll, but I haven’t seen anything happen, and that was a long time ago. I am just wondering did he make a fool of us because we were told it would be in place as soon as those houses open.”
Cllr O’Malley said it was a matter of concern for the people of Carrowholly travelling up and down the Golf Course Road and added that there were already issues with the junction at the top of the road because the road linings had made the turn too narrow and trucks were having to go up onto footpaths to make the turn.
“It’s a deathtrap for turning onto the N5. We hoped the sliproad might take some of the pressure off. That junction is very badly designed, the footpath needs to be taken in and the junction made wider because there will be an accident there.”
Head of the district Seamus O'Mongáin responded: “The industrial estate I think might be part of the equation regarding the slipway. The tenders are nearly ready for the development of the estate and then those works would form part of that tender package. So I would hope works would commence by the middle of next year.”
Area engineer Martin O’Grady promised to have a look at the road junction referred to and suggested that a simple measure such as a yellow box could provide a solution.
Mr O’Mongáin added that he would "advise against driving on the footpath", to which Cllr O’Malley replied: “People can’t help it.”
