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28 Dec 2025
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28 Dec 2025
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The Westport northern relief road
A WESTPORT councillor has called for Mayo County Council to advance plans for a southern relief road for Westport to free up traffic going through town.
The development of a southern bypass or relief road is a stated objective within the Westport Local Area Plan but it is not regarded as a top priority among officials in Mayo County Council. The Westport Northern Relief Road was opened as part of the development of the N5 dual carriageway from Westport to Castlebar and joins the N59 Newport Road.
Fianna Fáil councillor Brendan Mulroy called on the council to make it a priority as the land for the route is available and will alleviate traffic problems in Westport and open up the Louisburgh area to investment.
“We have that [southern relief road corridor] in place since I was first elected 26 years ago and the land is there for it so I would ask the executive for a bypass of Westport to Louisburgh on the southern relief road. That will also open up the conversation in relation to the pedestrianisation of Westport.
“At the moment if we try to pedestrianise any street in Westport it would be impossible but with the southern relief road it will open up the whole town and Louisburgh. It will make a massive difference to this town as Westport will be able to progress,” he said.
Cllr Mulroy said that the developments around Westport House and the proposed train connection to Galway will mean that Westport will be open for further business and the town needs to be ready.
“I would ask Mayo County Council to get ready for this with the southern relief road as it will make one hell of a difference to the road to Louisburgh," he said.
READ: Mayo road realignment project delayed due to river crossing concerns
His call was welcomed by Louisburgh-based councillor Chris Maxwell who said if the southern relief road is progressed it will be a 'game changer' for the south Clew Bay area. Independent councillor John O'Malley also agreed that the relief road to Louisburgh will be a big asset to the region.
While agreeing a southern relief road will be a game changer, Head of Roads, Conrad Harley poured cold water on the proposal saying that on a county level every municipal district was looking to advance similar projects.
“We have to come to an agreed strategy of where we want to go,” he commented.
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