R332 road works plan in south Mayo approved

A PART 8 planning application for road improvement works on the R332 in south Mayo has been approved by local councillors.

The works involve seven sections of the road, including realignment and road widening, along the existing route between Kilmaine village and the Mayo/Galway county boundary, taking in the townlands of Cloonconneelaun, Musicfield, Doorath, Turloughanbaun, Milford Demesne, Knockroe, Cooleen, Cloghans Beg, Cloghans More, Cloonanaff, Oultans and Ballyweela.

Councillor Damien Ryan said this is a game-changer for south Mayo, feeding into the motorway in Tuam, which connects the region with the east and south of the country. Traffic counts on the road were huge since the motorway opened. Funding of €850,000 was allocated recently for the project, which he welcomed, to allow the works begin.

It will take a number of years, in a phased approach, he acknowledged, but with funding commenced it was now firmly on the table.

This, said Councillor Michael Burke, is one of the most important roads in the south Mayo region.

All the observations received were supportive of the project and the few issues arising would be sorted through consultation.

The funding received is a starting point, with the project going in the right direction, he said, and it was very welcome.

His colleague Councillor Patsy O'Brien didn't agree on that last point, saying he was 'disappointed' with the allocation.

It was 'very minuscule' when it came to a regional road, he commented.

The project, he said, would cost between €6-€10 million.

Councillor O'Brien vowed to 'keep shouting' for the most amount of money to be provided.