Big wastewater investment in Mayo residential growth zone
Work has commenced on a €1.5 million wastewater connection upgrade to facilitate massive residential growth in the west side of Castlebar.
The key project by Uisce Éireann involves the installation of an enhanced pipeline from the existing station at Lakeview, Rathbawn Road, to Pontoon Road.
It is the first phase of planned major works on the network to cope with increased demands.
There are currently plans for over 300 new homes in the Snugboro, Garryduff and Rathbawn areas - a number of which are under construction.
The proposals include a new affordable housing scheme with planning permission for 75 homes on Rathbawn Road, the first scheme of its type in the county town.
The biggest scheme earmarked for the town's new residential growth area is one by MGB Land Holdings Limited for 164 new homes at Garryduff Park.
According to the strategic environmental assessment report for Castlebar and its environs 2023-2029, the town's wastewater treatment plant is well within its design capacity of 28,000 population equivalent (PE), is passing compliance and is not of immediate concern.
However, despite meeting discharge license limits, monitoring shows a deterioration in water quality downstream, necessitating interventions to protect the environment.
Further work will be required to address these issues going forward.
The new Rathbawn to Pontoon Road wastewater upgrade will, when completed, help pave the way for developments designed to address the town's housing crisis.
But in terms of medium and long term planning, the expansion of the town's west side creates new infrastructural challenges, including traffic safety and management.
This could be partly addressed by a new 700-metre road between Rathbawn Road and Pontoon Road proposed in the Mayo County Development Plan 2022-2028.
This would also offer connection options to the proposed Curradrish Link Road, connecting the R309 Dublin Road and Turlough Road.
The ultimate aim, however, in reducing traffic levels significantly within the town of Castlebar is the potential Northern Orbital Ring Road.