​Cathaoirleach Connolly Welcomes New Works

Cathaoirleach of the Ballinasloe Municipal District Cllr Dermot Connolly thanked Council staff for their efforts in securing funding for footpaths at Mackney and Garbally Demesne (Killconnell Road), at the recent August monthly council meeting,
The Sinn Fein Councillor said he had been contacted by constituents from these areas highlighting the need for the works and having made representations to Council, funding was secured, and works were carried out to the highest standards.

He also thanked Council staff for road works carried out at Deer Park Bridge and Ashtree junction. Cllr Connolly and was told by the Council engineer that works on footpath construction at a section of Beechlawn road would commerce in a number of weeks following Council staff having prepared a design in 2019 and again following further representations from constituents of Cllr Connolly who regularly use the route for walking.

Cllr Connolly also announced that a pedestrian crossing would be placed on Bothar Harris which would facilitate access to the local national school and also people coming to and from Brackernagh, Ard Mhuire and Garbally Drive as a result of his campaigning.

As part of the Municipal District meeting, the Local Area Plan was also discussed. With work now well underway it is expected that this plan, running until 2027, will go to public consultation later this month and will be available for public engagement for six weeks before a final plan is drawn up and adopted for use in early 2022.

Cllr Connolly says: “The Local Area Plan is one of the most significant pieces of work that we will do during our term as local representatives. It is crucial that investment is made in infrastructure to realise the potential of the plan.”
The plan will run parallel to the wider county development plan and ensure that a template is there for the right developments to take place at the right time.

The Cathaoirleach elaborated: “Employment is key in that as well as housing. We have a great advantage in the sense that we are on the motorway, we have a rail network in the town. We are the county town and we have always had a great local workforce for employers to benefit from. It is to attract new employments into Ballinasloe. Employers in the past were always very well served by the local population and the great work ethic that has been in Ballinasloe down the years. If we can get that right it will benefit us in many ways and will help retail and bring Ballinasloe back to its former glory.”
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It is encouraged that you have your say on the Local Area Plan and have your say on Ballinasloe’s future.

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