Anger at lack of progress for road

FRUSTRATION over the omission of a provision of government funding for the Western Distributor Road in last month’s budget was expressed at Monday’s meeting of Sligo County Council.

The IDA had already committed to providing funding for the project, but a commitment from government to advance the Western Distributor Road has not yet been made.

Cllr Tom MacSharry, speaking on a motion he put forward calling for an explanation from Minister for Transport Shane Ross as to why funding wasn’t provided for in Budget 2018, said it was very important that the project go ahead.

Cllr MacSharry referenced a meeting of the Independent Alliance that took place in recent months on the issue, and requested that clarification be sought from the Minister about the allocation of funding from government for the Western Distributor Road.

Cllr Marie Casserly, a member of the Independent Alliance who attended the aforementioned meeting said that the importance of advancement of the road was reinforced at the meeting and that overall the response was positive.

Director of Infrastructure, Environment and Fire Services Tom Kilfeather responded saying that specific monies for specific projects are normally allocated in January and that extensive discussions in relation to the project have been taking place between the government and the council in recent months.

Cllr Rosaleen O’Grady and Cllr Declan Bree both expressed a hope that a definitive commitment would arrive in January from the government and that the project would then be able to proceed.

Cllr Seamus Kilgannon said: “It is vital that is happens as soon as possible.”