Four new bus shelters to be constructed in Mayo

Approval has been granted for the construction of four new bus shelters in the Castlebar area, according to Mayo Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon.

Following discussions with Mayo County Council and the National Transport Authority (NTA), these shelters will be established at Killawalla, Balla, Ballyvary, and Straide this year.

Deputy Dillon expressed his delight at the prospect of providing much-needed shelter for four local bus stops. The shelters, positioned in pairs opposite each other, are scheduled to be installed during the summer. However, preparatory work, including upgrading footpaths and roads and relocating underground services, will precede the installation. The Castlebar Municipal District of Mayo County Council will handle these tasks, while the actual bus shelter structures will be put in place by the NTA’s bus shelter contractor.

“Design work for the selected locations is currently underway, and the plans will be submitted to the NTA for approval before construction begins, ideally in May or June. The funding for these projects will come from the NTA,” according to Deputy Dillon.

As a member of the Oireachtas Transport committee, Deputy Dillon hopes that this positive development is just the beginning: “I will continue to call for additional shelters across the county to support the valuable work carried out by Local Link Mayo and both regional and intercity operators, which connects rural towns and villages.”

Deputy Dillon emphasised the government’s commitment to delivering local transport services and maintaining essential infrastructure. Deputy Dillon said: “It is vital for the NTA to continue its ongoing investment in amenities such as bus shelters, bike racks, and train station upgrades to enhance local and regional connectivity.

“While progress is being made in transport links, there remains much more to be done to improve accessibility and convenience for residents and visitors alike” he added.

“Finally, I want to commend the work of the NTA and David Mellett, Head of Castlebar MD in bringing these four projects to fruition. I also want to acknowledge the support of Cllr Ger Deere in relation to the shelters at Straide and Ballyvary along with Cllr Cyril Burke for pushing the Killawalla shelter.”