Fresh twist to N25 roadway upgrade saga - Deputy Mulherin happy with assurances from Minister Varadkar

Tuesday, 24 January 2012 14:15

A FRESH twist has taken place to the long-running saga over the provision of the phase two upgrading of the N26 roadway between Ballina and Bohola.

Mayo Fine Gael Deputy Michelle Mulherin has announced that Transport Minister Leo Varadkar is commissioning a strategic transport study for the route ‘in order to identify an alternative national road connection to Ballina.’

She stated: “I am relieved and very pleased the N26 is back on track again after a number of meetings I have had with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and the Minister for Transport to progress the project.  I have left no stone unturned in that regard.

“After the shocking news late last year that the National Roads Authority (NRA) no longer considered the N26 Phase II upgrade a potential project, I am delighted to have succeeded in getting the authority to conduct the study which will be carried out in conjunction with Mayo County Council. It will commence this year.

“This is a major achievement considering that An Bord Pleanála’s decision to turn down the development in February 2010 create a doomsday scenario for the N26.

“This is the first positive step in turning around the fortunes of this project which had been consigned to the scrapheap by the previous government who could offer nothing more than cheap talk and posturing.

“The N26 is the major road artery into Ballina and provides an access gateway to the whole of Erris.

“Future economic and social development for the area requires it to be upgraded from its current condition.

“The upgrade isn’t just about improving access to the east but also to the N17 to Galway (the Atlantic Corridor) and to connect with Knock Airport.”

The matter is expected to be raised at the nest meeting of Mayo County Council.