Mayo councillor welcomes removal of 'embarrassing' Newport bus stops

A MAYO councillor has welcomed the removal of controversial bus stops which were erected at the bottom of a 'dangerous' street in Newport and has called on the National Transport Authority to consult with locals before erecting bus stops in the future.

The bus stops were erected on Tuesday morning at the bottom of George's Street in Newport but after an angry backlash from locals and local representatives the bus stops were taken down this morning.

Fianna Fáil councillor Brendan Mulroy welcomed the removal of the two bus stops and told The Mayo News that in the future the local community must be consulted on the permanent location of the bus stops.

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"I welcome the removal of the two bus stops this morning in Newport and thank the community in Newport and everyone who contacted me and also to the officials in Mayo County Council who contacted Bus Éireann. There was no consultation whatsoever with Mayo County Council before these bus stops were put in place. To put bus stops on a double yellow line is ridiculous and embarrassing for anyone to do that.

"No reason was given to me as to why the bottom of George's Street was chosen as a location for the bus stops and I will be asking questions at the next council meeting as to why they choose that location. Going forward there will have to be consultation with the local community before the National Transport Authority decides where to put the bus stops in Newport," Cllr Mulroy said.

The current bus stop is located in the centre of the town on Main Street and while this location was 'not ideal', it was considered a much better location than George's Street.

Cllr Mulroy also stated that he will be asking questions regarding the cost of installing and removing the bus stops as 'it will be the taxpayer who will be footing the bill and that is not on' he said.

George's Street which links the centre of the town and the N59 Mulranny road is considered a hazard by many residents due to its narrow footpaths and the sharp corner at the bottom.

Local residents and business people campaigned for a number of years to improve the safety of George's Street for pedestrians which resulted in the installation of a new pedestrian crossing and footpath last year.