Shane Ross - unlikely bearer of good news
TRANSPORT Minister Shane Ross hasn’ t visited Sligo yet since taki ng off i c e i n Februar y 2016 but he’s certainly l eaving his mark on the county. I was very sceptical that a Dublin based Minister who’s support for the Government was significantly reliant on a commitment for the re-opening of Stepaside Garda Station in his constituency would have enough of an interest in the national picture for Sligo to get any fair crack of the whip. But, credit where it’s due and Ross has come up with some significant roads funding that should be the kick start of major investment in the city over the next couple of years.
I dismayed when Sligo was left out as a centre of growth in the final draft of the Ireland 2040 Plan before Christmas, a point taken up by local Chamber President Des Faul at its annual dinner. Nothing seemed to be on the horizon for Sligo.
This year was always going to be crucial in terms of progressing a number of vital road projects but when I saw that Minister Ross was to visit North Korea on a peace mission with Independent Alliance colleagues John Halligan and Finian McGrath I was beginning to lose all hope but thank goodness sense prevailed and he got back to tackling issues that really matter to us here in Ireland.
And, he appeared to have been listening when a high powered delegation of councillors, council staff and chamber personnel met him in Leinster House to press the case in particular for the Western Distributor Route. Last week Minister Ross allocated €11 million for the project with the IDA contributing a further €5m with construction starting in July. This route’s significance cannot be underestimated.
It will create a high quality transport corridor to the Oakfield IDA site and also link up the Finisklin industrial estate with the Dublin/Galway road. The long awaited Collooney to Castlebaldwin 14k upgrade has been given enough funding to allow it go to tender this year and the appointment of a contractor with a view to an early 2019 start.
More good news was the fact the Eastern Garavogue Bridge project and link road remains in the Capital Plan which runs to 2021. The Council’s Director of Services Tom Kilfeather says if funding is forthcoming they could go for construction soon too.
Great news for Sligo and thanks to many people who lobbied publicly and behind the scenes including council officials who ensured these projects were up to date and ready to go when the Minister came knocking.