A view of the N60 at Manulla. Image from Google Maps

Manulla by-pass consultations imminent

CONSULTATION on the proposed Manulla by-pass route options is 'imminent'.

It is hoped to hold discussions with members of the public in the next few months, a Mayo County Council roads and transportation committee meeting was told.

This was confirmed following a query by Councillor Cyril Burke who also wondered about a Breaffy by-pass being considered, linking in from the new N5 to where the new Manulla route would start.

Head of roads Paul Dolan confirmed application has been made to Transport Infrastructure Ireland for a minor works scheme for that.

Meanwhile, the lack of an agreed new route in Manulla is having an impact on planning in the area.

Recently, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) successfully appealed a grant of planning permission for a couple wishing to build a house in Manulla.

An Bord Pleanála ruled that the proposed development, located in close proximity to the emerging preferred route corridor for the N60 Castlebar Balla Road (Manulla) Improvement Scheme, is 'premature' pending the determination of the road improvement scheme.

In refusing permission, the board found that the development would entail the provision of an additional access point directly onto the N60 secondary road, outside the 60kph speed limit zone, where it is national policy to avoid the creation of additional access points or increased traffic from existing accesses to national roads for all development types, including individual houses in rural areas regardless of the circumstances of the applicant.

The proposed development, by reason of the precedent a grant of permission would set, would lead to the proliferation of similar developments, would reduce the capacity of the road, and would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard and the obstruction of road users.

Mayo County Council had granted planning permission to Damien and Michelle Conway to construct a house at Creaghanboy, Manulla, Castlebar.

TII argued that the creation of the new direct access to the national road raised significant safety concerns.

This section of the N60 was an unimproved piece of national road infrastructure subject to a proposed road improvement scheme and the location of the proposed development site alongside the emerging route may prejudice delivery of the scheme.

The applicants, in their response, pointed out that they will be the fourth generation to inherit and continue the family farm, which has no road access other than to the N60.

They had made proposals regarding safe access and improved sight lines. This included the relocation of the applicant’s parents’ entrance to achieve improved sight-lines, which was a far better alternative to the one that currently exists.

It was also pointed out that the applicants complied with housing need, rural housing design, site suitability and water supply.

On the proposed new route, they said the detail on the emerging preferred route corridor indicated that the development was always to be clear of this possible route and would not impact on it in any way.

The applicants also pointed out there will be no increased traffic as they already live there. If they had to live elsewhere traffic would be increased as they would need to call to the farm several times a day.