New Swinford development to help local business - Mellet

New development to create extra parking


Rowan Gallagher

A NEW development behind Swinford Main Street is expected to offset the impact of the new Tesco store to local shops according to a local businessman.
The project which would see a new road behind Main Street in Swinford is set to be finished within a year according to local Councillor Joe Mellett (pictured) who spearheaded the project.
The project will create parking spaces and additional shop fronts after the extension and regeneration of an existing roadway.
Currently the project is being pushed through but has met with some objections from local people.
“I as Cathaoirleach of the County Council at the time, convinced the County Council to purchase a land bank between Main Street and the primary school for the construction of a car park and that planning permission has been granted.
“There are 92 car parking spaces there. We have to raise the money but I would be confident that that carpark will be constructed,” concluded Cllr Mellet.
A local businessman hopes the project will go ahead and is currently investing in his shop, leaving the grocery market to focus better on greeting cards and gifts to compete with the new Tesco store.
“In relation to the development of Tesco at the old mart site, that Mayo County Council now goes ahead and finalises the CPOs (compulsory purchase orders) and everything for the redevelopment of the back of Main St in Swinford, if this goes ahead Swinford will thrive,” said local businessman Tony Spain, owner of ‘Cards and Gifts’ on Main Street.
The project will rejuvenate the area and create parking facilities with possible additional shop fronts that could see the arrival of new businesses in the town.
The current road way will be extended to allow for the additional traffic linking up with Circular Road taking traffic off the Main Street.