Tender approved for long awaited vital link road in Sligo
The matter of the Mail Coach Road/Burton Street link road was raised by Councillor Declan Bree at the Monday's meeting of the Borough District of Sligo.
He told the meeting that the development has been delayed for many years due to insufficient funding being provided by successive governments.
'I am pleased with the report we have now received confirming that the tendering process has been completed and a preferred bidder identified.
'It now remains for the Department of Transport to approve the contact so as work can commence on the road.
'This project, to have a road link constructed which will allow vehicles from Temple Street and Mail Coach Road to directly access the Pearse Road and vice versa, has long been an objective in our Development Plan. It is also an objective the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy.
'However, as I have pointed out on numerous occasions, the project, which in real terms is a small project, has been delayed for over 15 years because the Department failed to provide adequate funding to see the project completed.
'We have been receiving small amounts of grant aid for the project, but it has been drip fed to us over the years.
'The ongoing delay has caused significant problems, particularly for residents in lower St Bridget's Place because motorists must use lower St Bridget's as an access road until such time as this new link road is constructed. When completed the road will significantly reduce motorised traffic congestion and its associated air and noise pollution. New wider footpaths, new cycle lanes, will be also be constructed and new traffic lights systems will be installed at Pearse Road and the Mail Coach Road junctions as part of the project,' said Cllr Bree.
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