Councillors urged to prioritise projects before NRA meeting

Anton McNulty

A DEPUTATION from Mayo County Council due to meet with the National Roads Authority have been urged to prioritise projects in order to get them delivered for the county.
A deputation of the Roads and Transportation SPC are to meet with the NRA in Dublin on September 21 and the matter of who should go on the deputation was discussed at yesterday’s meeting of the SPC.
It was suggested that a delegate from each of the municipal areas should be go but it was stressed that the deputation should not be ‘any more than six’. Members of the SPC stated that there should be a preparatory meeting before they leave to determine which projects should be prioritised in order to get the NRA to sanction funding.
Michael Moran, who was representing the Westport Chamber of Commerce, said whoever meets with the NRA needs to be on the same wavelength to get maximum return for the county.
“This is a great opportunity but you only get one shot to score and the only way we’ll score if we have a clear agenda of what we want from the NRA. Everyone has to be on the same wavelength and the delegation will only be successful if there is a clear understanding of what we want them to do for you,” he said.
Sinn Féin councillor Rose Conway-Walsh said they had to ‘maximise the opportunity’ they have in meeting the NRA and felt if they are not prepared it will be a lost opportunity. She added that she would like to be part of the delegation and Fianna FΡil councillor Brendan Mulroy proposed her nomination to represent the West Mayo municipal area.

Speed limits
The meeting also discussed inviting members of the Bohola committee who want to reduce the speed limit on the N5 to 60km per hour through the village onto the delegation. However, Director of Services, Paddy Mahon said that while it is an important issue, it is a topic the representative from the Castlebar Municipal District would be well aware of making to the NRA.
Meanwhile, a study on introducing traffic calming measures in Bohola will be completed by the middle of next month according to Council engineer, Mick Lyons.
Mr Lyons, of the Roads Design Office explained that the NRA will only consider reducing the speed limit in Bohola if there are traffic calming measures. The Council, he said did not have the resources to carry out that work at the moment but they have engaged with Ronan O’Donovan consultants to carry out a review of what will be required.
Mr Lyons added that when the report is published and agreed by all parties they will apply to the NRA for traffic calming measures and erect speed limit signs. The SPC were also told that a review of speed limits will be in place by April 2017.
Cllr Conway-Walsh asked what timeframe were the Council ‘talking about’ as she was concerned nothing will be done about the review.
Mr Lyons did not give a timeframe but added that a engineer has been appointed to look after speed limit reviews. Mr Mahon added that the Council will also be able to erect slow and warning signs where residents want a reduction in speed limits.