Mayo Green Party outline stance on new €300m. roadway project

The Mayo Green Party has issued a statement outlining its stance on the new €300 million roadway between Turlough and Westport, which is set to be officially opened by Taoisech Leo Varadkar on May 4.

It outlined: "The Green party would have opposed the brand new €300m. road from Ballynew (Castlebar) to Slogger (Westport).

"However we would not have opposed the €300m. investment in infrastructure.

"I'm sure there would have been an agreement that instead of investing the €300m in a single road project, the money would have been ring-fenced and invested in a wider range of projects throughout the county.

"The investment is certainly welcome and credit should be given to the Taoiseach at the time who helped to secure the biggest single investment in Mayo infrastructure since the great western railways.

"Eamon Ryan, party leader, attended the Mayo Greens annual general meeting in January this year and we made it very clear that further investment is needed to balanced development outside of Dublin.

"Green Party policies priorities a town-first approach where we reduce traffic congestion in town centres by offering public transport and by-pass options (as follows):

1. Westport needs a towns first relief road connecting N5 to the N59 Leanaun road, and R335 to Louisburg.

2. The fastest way for most people in Mayo to get to Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Cork is to connect to the M17 at Tuam. We need to upgrade the N60 from Castlebar to Claremorris. Including a towns first Balla by pass.

3. Foxford bypass N26.

4. Claremorris N60 Bypass.

5. Upgrade the R331 from Ballinrobe to Claremorris. Claremorris would go back to becoming more the public transport hub for rail transport in the west.

6. Upgrade the R313 from Bangor to Belmullet to N59 status. This should have been done long ago.

7. Upgrade Mulranny to Achill Sound to a national primary route.

8. Reopen the Athenry to Claremorris rail line with a high frequency connecting bus service to Knock Airport that services flight times rather than time tables.

9. Provide an hourly commuter rail link from Westport to Claremorris. Ballina to Manulla, and Claremorris to Galway. Syncing with existing Galway City commuter rail.

10. Add back dual tracks to Castlebar, Foxford, Ballyhaunis to accommodate an increased rail frequency.

11. Invest in great western railway dedicated battery operated trains to provide new commuter services.

12. Re-open Ballyvary and Balla, Ballindine, Milltown, and Tuam railway stations.

13. Fast track the excellent future proof Mayo County council Castlebar draft development plan for the county town that includes two new commuter bus services.

14. Continue investment in urban greenways suitable for electric bikes and escooters.

15. Approve UBER licence to operate in county Mayo so people can share journeys and rely on a safe reliable way home when no taxis are on duty.

16. Continue expansion of local link.

The statement was signed by Frank Cawley, Mayo Green Party