It’s ‘a statement of confidence’ - Hayes
Project Ireland 2040, the plan announced with much razzmatazz last Friday makes some “major statements in terms of rebalancing economic development in the country and in the North West.”
Chief Executive of Sligo County Council Ciarán Hayes also thinks the plans are “well thought out and considered.”
“This is a statement of confidence in Sligo and the region,” he said, adding that after decades of neglect, it is a “very welcome step forward.”
“If the Western seaboard is to act as a counter balance to the East, in the plan they’re making a very strong and clear statement as to where the development should take place and Sligo is included in that.
“The challenges now for Sligo County Council and other agencies is to be able to deliver on these ambitions,” he told The Sligo Champion.
In terms of infrastructure, the plan includes the N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin, the Eastern Garavogue Bridge, the Western Distributor Road and the N17 Knock to Collooney upgrade.
This last road is the only new road project included - all the others are already in train, something Ciarán Hayes acknowledges but says long-term plans such as this will always take into account projects already planned.
He pointed to the goal of improving regional connectivity of the Atlantic Economic Corridor as something that will drive the N17 upgrade.
He also pointed to the importance of Knock Airport and the Mullingar to Longford motorway: “Knock Airport is as important to Sligo as it is to Mayo. Even the Mullingar to Longford motorway will benefit Sligo,” he said.
“If we want to develop this region we must deal with infrastructure deficits and issues of access to the regions. Also for companies, allowing them access to their markets.
Other gains for Sligo are commitments to a new Central Sterile Services Department at Sligo University Hospital and a new Acute Mental Health Unit, both of which are already planned.
“It augurs well. There are certain challenges in putting it together and in terms of delivering on the vision of the plan,” he said.
He also pointed to the proposed National Regeneration and Development Agency which is to overlook planning and said “we need to see more detail.”
“If the intention is to ensure balanced regional development it would be welcome. It demonstrates a different type of initiative that’s coming through between the Council and other local agencies,” he said.