10km of N59 road surfacing to take TWO years

It has emerged that road surfacing work on a stretch of just 10km on the N59 from Oughterard to Bunnakill will take two years to complete – despite local representatives being assured it would be finished by the end of this year.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly the National Roads Authority) has confirmed that because the work is considered “significant”, it will be carried out over two years.

This comes despite an assurance from the County Council a fortnight ago that work will begin before the summer and finish by the end of the year.

However, progress was made on the long-running road upgrade controversy this week, when Transport Minister Shane Ross met with a delegation from the N59 Action Group.

The Minister has agreed to appoint an ‘N59 liaison’ in his Department in the coming days, and also accepted an invitation to travel the road to see first-hand the dangerous conditions.

The meeting – which was arranged by Galway-based Senator Padraig Ó Céidigh – was described as “very positive” by a member of the action group.

Seosamh Ó Cuaig told the Connacht Tribune: “The room was full, the Minister brought in three officials from TII and two from the County Council. We explained the long-running situation to him and he said he was learning what the issues are.

“We asked him to appoint an official that we could liaise with, and he said he would in the next few days. I think that’s an advance. We’ve established channels in there. Josie Conneely asked if he’d come down to Galway and have a look at the road for himself, and he agreed to,” said Mr Ó Cuaig.

Locals believe the 50km stretch of the N59 from Oughterard to Clifden is the worst road of its kind in the country and are seeking the Minister’s assistance in overcoming the long-running saga of planning delays.

Minister Ross suggested the delegation should come before a meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport (of which Senator Ó Céidigh is a member), at which he will be in attendance.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune