BALLYBAY Town Council this week formally requested that Monaghan County Council make a submission to consultants carrying out a review of the proposed East-West Link Road and new Sligo-Dundalk route.
The town council sought the county council’s support for the development of the route through Castleblayney, Ballybay and Clones. The local councillors also requested that their county council colleagues enter into discussions with Fermanagh District Council and other interested local authorities on the issue. Ballybay councillors believe the development of this strategic route through Castleblayney, Ballybay and Clones would be of great benefit to the mid-Monaghan area.
County Councillor Robbie Gallagher proposed that the county council immediately make a submission as requested.
Cllr Padraig McNally explained that Cavan County Council had been given the responsibility for planning the route on behalf of Monaghan and Louth. Cllr McNally believes the most direct route was likely to be selected.
Director of Services for Roads, Michael Fitzpatrick said he did not believe there was any point making a submission on the projects until the consultants are appointed.
Cllr Brian McKenna said that the council needed to meet with Fermanagh officials urgently as the route through mid-Monaghan had been the preferred one until an environmental concern relating to a bridge in Enniskillen ruled it out. Northern Ireland’s Department of Environment said they can now resolve this issue according to Cllr McKenna.
County Manager Declan Nelson said the route from Cavan-Dundalk was chosen in a bid to open Cavan and the route corridor up. He said, however, the Shercock-Dundalk road was in need of upgrade following huge daily traffic volumes. Mr Nelson also strongly refuted claims that the council had not made Monaghan’s preferred route clear, saying he had wrote a strongly worded letter to the NRA outlining Monaghan’s position and their response had been circulated to members.
The proposal to support Ballybay Town Council’s request was passed.