Preferred route for N17 welcomed but a sod may not be turned on project for ten years - Council chair
A PERIOD of public consultation has started which will allow observations on the preferred route for the much-anticipated N17 Knock to Collooney project.
This route will see the demolition of 19 houses, Cllr Michael Clarke confirmed. While welcoming the fact the project was “advancing” with the route publication, he said he believes it could be ten years before a sod is turned on the project. Welcoming the publication of the preferred route, Cllr Clarke, cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council said the road as it stands is “very dangerous” and he was “delighted to see the project advanced by Tuesday’s route selection”.
However, he said he believes it will be “a very long time before a sod is turned on this project, it could be as long as ten years”. He said he believes the current Government has changed its focus and is less interested in the provision of road infrastructure and the project will not be actively progressed until there is a change of Government.
Based on the route chosen, 19 houses which have a total of 25 occupants will be demolished as they are placed on the chosen route.
The route has obvious implications for them and for property and landowners from Knock to Collooney.
Cllr Clarke said that every landowner, property and home owner along the route will or should already have received a letter containing relevant maps and route details that will impact on them as owners.
Already hundreds of homeowners, farmers, property and business owners and members of the public have viewed an online map of the chosen preferred route.
In due course it’s anticipated this will run to thousands of people who will log on or seek hard copy maps of the route which will be available from March 7.
On Tuesday Sligo Regional Design Office released the Emerging Preferred Transport Corridor for the project which runs from Knock in County Mayo to Collooney in County Sligo.
Towns and villages along the route include Tubbercurry, Collooney, Curry, Banada, Bunnanadden, Achonry and Ballinacarrow and in Mayo, Charlestown and Knock.
The preferred corridor can be viewed on the project website www.n17knockcollooney.ie
The corridor which has been revealed has been assessed as providing the most sustainable solution and most benefits and impacts in relation to the criteria used when considering transport infrastructure projects.
The project is now entering a period of public consultation which will run until March 21 where members of the public and other interested parties will be able to book appointments with members of the project team.
These can be arranged via the contact us section of the project website.
As part of that public consultation, dates have been scheduled to allow members of the public to meet in person with the project team. The public consultation dates will be scheduled on March 7, 8 and 14.
Paper maps and other information will be provided at the following collection points from Tuesday, February 7: In Sligo information will be available at: Sligo County Council County Hall, Riverside Sligo, Ireland F91 Y763; Sligo County Council, Teach Laigne, Humbert Street, Tubbercurry, Co Sligo. Ireland, F91 Y328.