Clarity sought on plans to tackle Mayo town's traffic congestion
Phase one of the long-awaited Ballina bypass is expected to advance to CPO and planning approval stage next year - but there are no clear indications yet in regard to phase two of the project, a Mayo Oireachtas member has been told.
Senator Mark Duffy said the mid-1840s was the last time the town had a significant and substantial investment in road transport.
He elaborated: "That was the building of the Ham Bridge over the River Moy. A few years later the Lower Bridge was developed. They were both built in the 1840s in the 19th century.
"Later in that century, another crossing of the River Moy at Foxford was built. There was nothing in the 20th century, and we are now a quarter of the way through the 21st century without any additional substantial infrastructure investment for transport in Ballina or north Mayo.
"There is a constraint with the River Moy crossing. That is understandable but it is not an excuse not to develop or deliver.
"There needs to be a dedicated and intensive analysis by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) on a plan for relief of congestion of the town.
"The whole region, west Sligo and north Mayo, is relying on two 19th-century bridges that have one-way traffic flow.
"We have spent hundreds of thousands of euro on consultants through the transport plans that have been funded over recent years, and we have Mayo County Council basically caught up in applying to TII for low-cost safety measures and trying to sort out fixing of traffic lights, which should not be within the competence of TII because it has a lot of other more pressing projects to deliver.
"It took us two years to address traffic light changes. We were told by engineers that that was because we were waiting for sign-off from TII. That should not be happening.
"Low-cost safety interventions, maintenance of traffic lights and such competencies should be devolved to local authorities so TII can get on with the more substantial projects.
"The justification is pronounced for a relief road over the River Moy connecting the Foxford and Sligo road.
"That needs to be a priority of TII."
Ms Geraldine Fitzpatrick, head of roads and greenways capital programme with TII, said there is a regional design office located in Mayo that engages in the delivery of the major projects.
She stated: "In relation to the Ballina bypass, a project is currently funded and in the design process for phase 1. It is a connection.
"My understanding is that that will go for CPO and planning approval next year. We engage directly with the RDO regularly, at least once a month. We work with the local authority to understand the priorities and try to deliver the projects but, again, it depends on what resources we have to fund such projects."
Senator Duffy asked if TII will commit to engaging with the RDO specifically on a crossing of the River Moy for phase 2 of the Ballina orbital route? Phase 1 connects the Foxford and Crossmolina road.
"I attended the public consultations. That was phase 1. I asked, "Where is phase 2 if we doing a phase 1?" We do not know. It does not make sense.
"We need joined-up thinking in approach and serious thought about how we invest and make those decisions to make sure we know, when we have a phase 1, where we are going with phase 2. Will TII be able to commit to that with the RDO in Mayo?"