N26 decision may have consequences for proposed N5

N26 decision may have consequences for proposed N5


Anton McNulty

THE decision by An Bord PleanΡla to reject the proposed new N26 road from Ballina to Bohola may have consequences for the planned N5 Westport to Bohola dual carriageway according to the acting County Manager of Mayo County Council.
The shock decision by the planning authority to turn down the N26 dual carriageway was heavily criticised by councillors at yesterday’s monthly meeting of the Council. Despite the board inspector giving it the go-ahead, the board overturned his decision citing environmental reasons and that the predicted traffic volumes did not justify a 2+2 dual carriageway status.
Acting County Manager, Joe Beirne told the monthly meeting that they were ‘surprised and shocked’ by the language used in the ABP report where it described the 2+2 dual carriageway as ‘too elaborate’. He added that it was the NRA’s strategy that dual carriageways would link hub centres and this decision could have consequences for the proposed N5 from Westport to Bohola.
“The footprint of a dual carriageway is about one and a half metres wider than a single carriageway and that is not very elaborate. It consists of four lanes of traffic separated by a modest margin in the middle of it. Other technical things such as the spatial strategy calls for connectivity between two hubs and I’m amazed that is not taken into consideration. Ballina is one of few regional towns not to have proper connectivity when you compare it to other peripheral counties which have a decent road system. This could have consequences for the Bohola to Westport scheme and we have to ask ourselves would they also rule that it is not adequate to have a dual carriageway from Westport to Bohola,” he said.
Such was the seriousness of the matter, all other issues at the meeting were suspended to allow the ABP decision to be discussed. Ballina councillor, Michelle Mulherin said the decision showed the evidence of an east/west divide and said that the board of ABP should not be allowed to overturn decisions made by their inspectors.
“We are devastated and I would like to know how we got this so wrong. This has far-reaching consequences particularly in Ballina where the IDA have been beating us over the head telling us we need a road. This decision was an insult to the people of Mayo and if ever there was evidence to show the east/west divide, this is it. In their eyes they seem to think the west should be a game reserve and be seen at weekends,” she said.
Her Fine Gael colleague, Cllr Jarlath Munnelly said that the decision made by ABP should be challenged and called for the for the Council to seek a judicial review of ABP’s decision. He said €5 million had been spent on the project and said that ABP should be held to account.
Mr Beirne replied that they have up to eight weeks to take a judicial review but added that it may take up to two years for it to be heard and they would have to get support from the NRA before they go that direction.