€195,000 for six Mayo town and village projects

FUNDING of €195,000 has been allocated in total to six projects in Mayo under the Town and Village Accelerated Measures, round 3, Deputy Michael Ring has confirmed.

The successful projects are:

Claremorris: Remedial works to footpaths and provision of spaces where local businesses may locate outdoor seating/tables/displays (€25,000).

Islandeady: Provide lighting, footpaths and footbridge for village to improve access to amenities (€25,000).

Parke: Installation of footpath/cycleway in Parke to improve access in village and to facilitate safer school drop-offs (€25,000).

Westport: Purchase and install Christmas lighting in Westport (€40,000).

Ballina: Provision of covered public seating and bicycle parking (€40,000).

Castlebar: Improvements to the existing market area and creation of additional linked market area with seating (€40,000).

Said Deputy Ring: “The Town and Village Renewal Scheme focuses on projects which can help to enhance rural towns and villages, with a particular emphasis on stimulating economic development. I am very pleased that six worthwhile projects in Mayo have received funding under this round.

“This is very positive news for the six successful projects. I look forward to these projects being brought to fruition and to the benefits being felt by local communities.”

Welcoming the news Deputy Alan Dillon said: “This funding will enable towns and villages to implement immediate measures that will encourage people into towns and villages to shop and socialise, while adhering to public health guidelines.”

“Our rural towns and villages have always played a huge role in supporting businesses and communities by providing spaces for people to meet, socialise and shop locally.

"Recognising their importance to the economic and social well-being of rural areas, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme has invested significantly in towns and villages over the last number of years."

Councillor Ger Deere said the allocations for Islandeady and Parke represent major boosts for the parishes. He also looked forward to works getting underway at Market Square in Castlebar.

Welcoming the Islandeady allocation, Councillor Martin McLoughlin said he hoped work will start without delay on the amenities, for which the local community council has been campaigning for some time.