Dismay over N26 'ten years' revelation

MEMBERS of Mayo County Council in the Ballina region have been informed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) that there will be little happening with the N26 for the next 10 years.

That being so, Councillor Seamus Weir has suggested that works be carried out on sections through minor schemes, especially on parts of the road between Mount Falcon and Foxford.

“We need to push this to get it going ahead. It's up to the council to make progress on it,” he said at a meeting of Ballina Municipal District.

“We're miles behind now. We have to get something done,” agreed Councillor Gerry Ginty.

However, Councillor Jarlath Munnelly proposed a meeting between council members and senior engineer Paul Dolan with other bodies such as the Roads Design Office and Ballina Chamber of Commerce so that they could decide what their priorities are.

“We have to determine as a council what out priorities are and back them,” he pointed out.

Councillor Munnelly added that there should be an announcement soon from An Bord Pleanála on the Cloongullane Bridge section of the N26 and if that was positive there should be money to start the project next year. Therefore to say that there was nothing happening with regard to the road was not entirely fair.

Councillor Michael Smyth, cathaoirleach of Ballina Municipal District, said he would welcome a workshop on local road development priorities, adding that there was significant appetite for some sort of safety measure on the N26 and a roundabout where that road meets the N5 outside Swinford.