Update given on two major projects for Mayo

Mayo County Council’s new strategic capital delivery team has given an update on expected completion dates for two key projects in the Westport-Belmullet Municipal District, writes Paul O'Malley.

Pat Staunton, who heads up the newly established team of four people that is responsible for the delivery of certain Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and Urban Regeneration and Development Fund projects, gave updates at last week's municipal meeting on projects to regenerate the former Sisters of Mercy Convent in Westport and the Newport regeneration scheme.

Mr Staunton said tenders are now in for the convent project and they should be processed by this December. The aim is to get the contractor on site in the first quarter of 2025 with a view towards completing all works on the new municipal offices before the end of 2027.

He said the Newport project has three elements to be completed: an enterprise hub, public realm works and Dark Sky-friendly lighting on the town’s viaduct. The enterprise hub is expected to have its fit-out completed in the third quarter of 2026, the Dark Sky lighting should be complete by the third quarter of 2025 and the public realm works are expected be completed by mid-2027. Mr Staunton said the public realm works would have to be timed to start at the end of the summer.

Cllr Brendan Mulroy said he was delighted to see someone with Mr Staunton’s ability leading the team, but Cllr Gerry Coyle said it was disappointing there was no project for the Erris region currently with the delivery team.

Mr Staunton said there were several projects in the pipeline, adding that once a funding letter comes from the Department, the project gets passed to his team.