Minister asked to explain to residents and Mayo councillors 'absurd' active travel decision

TRANSPORT Minister Darragh O'Brien has again been asked to meet residents and councillors in Balla to explain why funding wasn't allocated for an active travel scheme in the town.

The invitation was issued at a Castlebar Municipal District meeting by Councillor Donna Sheridan who wants answers to what she described as 'an absolute farce', with the project now stalled.

Mayo County Council applied for €615,000 to progress the active travel project from Pollavaddy to Balla. This section is vital to complete the existing scheme from Heathlawn to Balla, which currently ends abruptly at Pollavaddy.

Minister O'Brien had to come down and meet them and the people of Balla to explain this 'absurd decision', said Councillor Sheridan.

It had been a waste of public money - starting a scheme and leaving it halfway through - and it should be before the public accounts committee, she commented.

Councillor Cyril Burke noted all the good work that has been done to date, saying it was a shame this has stalled it.

He urged everyone involved, officials and politicians at national level, to push and get the funding, and he supported the motion to bring the minister down.