N5/N26/N58 - Castlebar-Bohola / Swinford-Mount Falcon

user1842 · 28-09-2018 10:23pm

newtown13 wrote: »

Unfortunately, this road isnt going to be built.
Instead, they have opted to upgrade the existing N26. Cloongullane bridge will be the next project.

After that, a possible upgrade of the road to castlebar with a bypass on the western side of Foxford. This road has more traffic than the road to swinford

But they said no work on the N26 for 10 years. This statement better not include inline upgrades. The inline section was included in the extended N5 study area. Is this now dropped.

To hell or to Ballina.....

marno21 · 28-09-2018 10:27pm

Knock2 wrote: »

Can somebody please answer the following questions ad I don’t want any political point scoring blaming ff or fg ect

Knock2 wrote: »

Why is this upgrade taking so long it has been talked about for 30 years now?

The project was refused by ABP and has to start from scratch. It is currently not on the agenda of circa 50 projects being advanced at present.

Knock2 wrote: »

How has the Westport Castlebar road leaped fringed the n26?

N5 Westport-Turlough was approved by ABP and is going from there.

Knock2 wrote: »

Is it the minster or somebody in tii that decides what roads get da go ahead?

A mixture of TII, DPER, DTTAS, local authorities and some political interference put into that stew.

Knock2 wrote: »

When or how can we get facts ie..da road will start construction on Jan 01 2023 ad there is a build period of 2 years so it will be open in 2025 as an example?

This scheme is only a concept yet so has not officially started yet.

Knock2 wrote: »

Has the route got planning is all gud to go?

No as above.

Knock2 wrote: »

Why has every government for the last 30 years not completed the route?

Other projects have been prioritised

Knock2 wrote: »

How can this project be speeded up ie..does Leo or Michael kno this road requires an upgrade ad why won’t they do anything about it?

Outside of the main routes to Dublin, nearly every national road in the country is in need of upgrading. This is one of around 70 schemes that were considered for inclusion in the National Development Plan. 25-30 got included including the remainder of the N5 and work on the N17 and N59 in Mayo.

marno21 · 28-09-2018 10:28pm

user1842 wrote: »

But they said no work on the N26 for 10 years. This statement better not include inline upgrades. The inline section was included in the extended N5 study area. Is this now dropped.

To hell or to Ballina.....

Cloongullane bridge is the only section being advanced at present. This is because it's a paramount safety issue that cannot wait for the major scheme in its area to be advanced.

Knock2 · 03-10-2018 8:59pm

Why has north mayo and Ballina suffered neglect at the hands of every government for the last 30/40 years and a simple question is how can this be addressed,what has to change or will it change?
Has mayo county councils over the same period of time anything to answer for or is the neglect totally down to the national governments??

user1842 · 04-10-2018 8:03am

Knock2 wrote: »

Why has north mayo and Ballina suffered neglect at the hands of every government for the last 30/40 years and a simple question is how can this be addressed,what has to change or will it change?
Has mayo county councils over the same period of time anything to answer for or is the neglect totally down to the national governments??

Unfortunately Castlebar and Westport have been priorities. In reality Ballina is still lucky to have its train station (thank god for Coca-Cola).

The only way to help Ballina is, heaven forbid, to vote for Fianna Fail in the next election. Dara Calleary is from Ballina and may be of help to the town as he would get a high ministerial position in any Fianna Fail lead government.

Knock2 · 04-10-2018 9:16am

But who is prioritizing cbar and Westport and why,who is to blame?what does the future hold for north mayo region will it continue to suffer neglect why does it not gets its fair share?ther is probally a population of 20k + at a minimum in the region it’s probally a lot more than that,do the government propose we move to south mayo east west mayo what do they propose??

Cookiemunster · 04-10-2018 9:20am

Knock2 wrote: »

But who is prioritizing cbar and Westport and why,who is to blame?what does the future hold for north mayo region will it continue to suffer neglect why does it not gets its fair share?ther is probally a population of 20k + at a minimum in the region it’s probally a lot more than that,do the government propose we move to south mayo east west mayo what do they propose??

That would have been a certain fella from Castlebar called Enda....

Knock2 · 04-10-2018 9:20am

As far as I’m aware there was very little mention of north mayo in the national development plan towards 2040 so that means for the next 22 years we will suffer even more neglect,who is going to shout stop???

Knock2 · 04-10-2018 9:22am

In fairness to Enda this has been going on for 40 years so it’s not his fault in this case! I think there has to be a more deep rooted answer to this genes I’m puting it out there hoping for some proper reasons if they exist?

monument · 04-10-2018 10:34am

marno21 wrote: »

The project was refused by ABP and has to start from scratch. It is currently not on the agenda of circa 50 projects being advanced at present.

N5 Westport-Turlough was approved by ABP and is going from there.

A mixture of TII, DPER, DTTAS, local authorities and some political interference put into that stew.

This scheme is only a concept yet so has not officially started yet.

No as above.

Other projects have been prioritised

Outside of the main routes to Dublin, nearly every national road in the country is in need of upgrading. This is one of around 70 schemes that were considered for inclusion in the National Development Plan. 25-30 got included including the remainder of the N5 and work on the N17 and N59 in Mayo.

It’s nearly funny but not that you see no relationship between over specing roads and the ability to build out a network.

The populations between Ballina, Castlebar and Westport don’t justify dual carriageways.

That cost means it’s harder to actually upgrade routes for safety reasons. Capacity and locking in unsustable car commuting is what’s happening here.

user1842 · 04-10-2018 11:06am

monument wrote: »

It’s nearly funny but not that you see no relationship between over specing roads and the ability to build out a network.

The populations between Ballina, Castlebar and Westport don’t justify dual carriageways.

That cost means it’s harder to actually upgrade routes for safety reasons. Capacity and locking in unsustable car commuting is what’s happening here.

The N26 phase 2 should never have been dual carriageway. The second it was rejected by An Bord Pleanála it should have been resubmitted as a single carriage way road along the same alignment as the dual with some "swan protection".

To this day I dont understand why this did not happen as it was An Bord Pleanála who noted that a lower capacity road would be better and that they would be more amenable to this option.

marno21 · 04-10-2018 11:28am

monument wrote: »

It’s nearly funny but not that you see no relationship between over specing roads and the ability to build out a network.

The populations between Ballina, Castlebar and Westport don’t justify dual carriageways.

That cost means it’s harder to actually upgrade routes for safety reasons. Capacity and locking in unsustable car commuting is what’s happening here.

Apologies I'm not sure exactly what your responding to but anyway

The N26 scheme this thread about was to be a 2+2 connecting to SC Phase 1 of the N26 and connecting to SC Swinford bypass at the other end. 2+2 was overdoing it and especially so when it was rejected because traffic volumes were falling at the time

2+2 may be meritorious if it connected to an upgraded R321 from Bohola to Kiltimagh through to the N17

monument · 04-10-2018 11:42am

marno21 wrote: »

Apologies I'm not sure exactly what your responding to but anyway

The N26 scheme this thread about was to be a 2+2 connecting to SC Phase 1 of the N26 and connecting to SC Swinford bypass at the other end. 2+2 was overdoing it and especially so when it was rejected because traffic volumes were falling at the time

2+2 may be meritorious if it connected to an upgraded R321 from Bohola to Kiltimagh through to the N17

You really think one overkill project going ahead in a county doesn’t limit the number of km that can be upgraded within the next decade?

lotusm · 15-10-2018 7:09pm

Reply from a public representative When I queried the latest delay in upgrading the n26....

That information is not correct.

We are awaiting a positive decision from An Bord Pleanala hopefully in the coming weeks to proceed with a new bridge and road realignment at Cloongullaun.

The problem is that the N26 route is located in the River Moy Special Area of Conservation which requires protection of habitats and species therein. This is the reason there is a delay in relation to Cloongullaun and the reason N26 Phase 2 Ballina to Bohola was refused in 2010.

I have done massive work I'm bring together National Parks and Wildlife Service, Mayo County Council and TII to address issues and also involving Minister Josepha Madigan and the Taoiseach to iron out issues. Also since 2011 I secured over €4m to address issues and find a suitable route for the upgrade of the N26 along with developing connectivity between Ballina and Castlebar via Straide( a new N58). If you check out my Facebook page you will see where I have been highlighting frustration with environmental designation and An Bord Pleanala.

The plan is to develop the N26 in stages and hopefully when planning for Cloongullaun comes through the next stage is Mount Falcon to Bohola.

I am also fighting for an Orbital Route(ring road) for Ballina which could also be developed in stages.

All of this roads infrastructure is critical for our area, no doubt.

I hope this clarifies the situation.

monument · 16-10-2018 12:51am

lotusm wrote: »

Reply from a public representative When I queried the latest delay in upgrading the n26....

That information is not correct.

We are awaiting a positive decision from An Bord Pleanala hopefully in the coming weeks to proceed with a new bridge and road realignment at Cloongullaun.

The problem is that the N26 route is located in the River Moy Special Area of Conservation which requires protection of habitats and species therein. This is the reason there is a delay in relation to Cloongullaun and the reason N26 Phase 2 Ballina to Bohola was refused in 2010.

I have done massive work I'm bring together National Parks and Wildlife Service, Mayo County Council and TII to address issues and also involving Minister Josepha Madigan and the Taoiseach to iron out issues. Also since 2011 I secured over €4m to address issues and find a suitable route for the upgrade of the N26 along with developing connectivity between Ballina and Castlebar via Straide( a new N58). If you check out my Facebook page you will see where I have been highlighting frustration with environmental designation and An Bord Pleanala.

The plan is to develop the N26 in stages and hopefully when planning for Cloongullaun comes through the next stage is Mount Falcon to Bohola.

I am also fighting for an Orbital Route(ring road) for Ballina which could also be developed in stages.

All of this roads infrastructure is critical for our area, no doubt.

I hope this clarifies the situation.

What did you say that she replied that “That information is not correct“?

And why are you hiding the fact it’s Mulhern?

Anyway that goes some way to explaining why Mulhern keeps ranting about environmental regulations — (1) she’s clueless about and/or is trying to hide the fact there’s systemic delays in the planning system her government should have fixed by now and (2) she’s clueless that environmental concerns are overridden when there’s a strong enough case for a project and the problem with Ballina to Bohola was a weak planning case.

There was a weak case for to have Ballina to Bohola as a duel carriageway, thus, as reported at the time: “The board claimed that it had not been demonstrated that the proposed road scheme, designed to dual carriageway standard with two major bridge crossings of the Moy, was justified” from http://www.advertiser.ie/mayo/article/22898/n26-refused-road-would-have-been-intrusion-of-moy-river-valley

She has made so many blunders generally that it’s not surprising that she’s clueless of the planning system and EU law.

marno21 · 13-11-2018 3:16pm

http://www.mayonews.ie/news/32910-ballina-councillor-slams-doom-and-gloom-about-the-n26

N26 scheme was one of those which barely missed out on inclusion in the Capital Plan. At present, it will be advanced sometime between 2028 an 2032.

user1842 · 09-01-2019 3:30pm

New bridge and road realignment at Cloongullaun has been approved by ABP:

http://www.pleanala.ie/casenum/JP0041.htm

user1842 · 09-01-2019 4:20pm

user1842 wrote: »

New bridge and road realignment at Cloongullaun has been approved by ABP:

http://www.pleanala.ie/casenum/JP0041.htm

Wait a minute, from actually reading the inspectors report:

I recommend that the application under Section 177AE for the realignment and upgrade of the N26 National Primary Route at Cloongullaun is refused (Schedule 1), and consequently that the CPO is annulled (Schedule 2).

Its look's like ABP made a decision against their own inspectors report (thank God).

DumbBrunette · 09-01-2019 5:03pm

I noticed that too.

It's frightening that the ABP inspector would put very minor environmental concerns ahead of the obvious need to upgrade this appalling stretch of road.

It seems that in his view, some temporary disruption to the local ecosystem is more important than preventing further deaths and serious injuries in accidents at the bridge.

Like I said, frightening. I'd love to hear how he could possibly justify that decision. Thank God the board overruled him.

user1842 wrote: »

Wait a minute, from actually reading the inspectors report:

I recommend that the application under Section 177AE for the realignment and upgrade of the N26 National Primary Route at Cloongullaun is refused (Schedule 1), and consequently that the CPO is annulled (Schedule 2).

Its look's like ABP made a decision against their own inspectors report (thank God).

L1011 · 09-01-2019 5:34pm

I've seen quite a few inspectors reports ignored by the board. I do wonder if there's one problematic inspector or multiple!

discodaveirl · 14-01-2019 12:09am

DumbBrunette wrote: »

I noticed that too.

It's frightening that the ABP inspector would put very minor environmental concerns ahead of the obvious need to upgrade this appalling stretch of road.

It seems that in his view, some temporary disruption to the local ecosystem is more important than preventing further deaths and serious injuries in accidents at the bridge.

Like I said, frightening. I'd love to hear how he could possibly justify that decision. Thank God the board overruled him.

Dont ever remember any deaths or serious injuries at this bridge as a result of a road collision.

marno21 · 24-05-2019 2:05am

In light of this scheme being frozen, local councillor is asking for parallel access roads to be constructed along the N5.

https://www.midwestradio.ie/index.php/news/31305-investigations-underway-to-reduce-number-of-exits-off-the-n5-between-bohola-and-charlestown

marno21 · 26-06-2019 2:50am

Michelle Mulherin asking Ross for an upgrade

http://www.mayonews.ie/news/33894-senator-begs-ross-for-new-ballina-road

I don't see any chance of success to be honest.

Cosmo Kramer · 17-06-2020 9:05pm

May be worth keeping an eye on what position Dara Calleary gets in any new Government that is formed. If he gets anywhere near the infrastructure budget expect him to push hard for some kind of N26 upgrade to be pushed up the priority list.

It's a long way from being in a position where any significant works could take place on the road (beyond the bridge upgrade) but he has long had an agenda against the development of West Mayo at (as he sees it) the expense of North Mayo and this will be his number one project that he will be expected to deliver on for his base in Ballina.

https://www.mayonews.ie/news/35436-we-ll-reboot-rural-economy-calleary

Personally I would be of the view that the N5 in Roscommon should be his priority as it would benefit the whole of Mayo and west Roscommon rather than just North Mayo and has a much greater chance of being progressed during the Government's term.

L1011 · 17-06-2020 9:08pm

It required a level of pragmatism and ability to explain on behalf of Kenny to push N5 works outside the county rather than roads within the county (and hence get the Longford and Ballaghaderreen bypasses) that Calleary may not have

user1842 · 17-06-2020 9:12pm

Cosmo Kramer wrote: »

Personally I would be of the view that the N5 in Roscommon should be his priority as it would benefit the whole of Mayo and west Roscommon rather than just North Mayo and has a much greater chance of being progressed during the Government's term.

N5 in Roscommon is done and dusted. Construction will probably start this year. It's the N4 from Mullingar to Longford that needs done.

DumbBrunette · 17-06-2020 11:40pm

Not quite done and dusted.... AFAIK it still needs to go through Cabinet at least one more time before construction could start. Other posters might have better knowledge of the exact mechanics.

user1842 wrote: »

N5 in Roscommon is done and dusted. Construction will probably start this year. It's the N4 from Mullingar to Longford that needs done.

Cookiemunster · 18-06-2020 8:51am

DumbBrunette wrote: »

Not quite done and dusted.... AFAIK it still needs to go through Cabinet at least one more time before construction could start. Other posters might have better knowledge of the exact mechanics.

Is it a €100m plus scheme? If it's not it doesn't need cabinet approval.

user1842 · 18-06-2020 8:53am

Also I really hope Dara Calleary gets the N26 done. Anyone who has driven on that road will know the poor state it is in. It does not need a new road just a good inline upgrade (like the one done after Tuam towards Milltown on the N17).

user1842 · 18-06-2020 8:58am

Cookiemunster wrote: »

Is it a €100m plus scheme? If it's not it doesn't need cabinet approval.

€200m

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/a3479a-minister-ross-announces-n5-ballaghaderreen-to-scramoge-road-project/

I think the only thing that will stop it now is a archaeological find. I cannot see the Cabinet holding it up, but I could be wrong.

user1842 · 18-06-2020 9:08am

DumbBrunette wrote: »

Not quite done and dusted.... AFAIK it still needs to go through Cabinet at least one more time before construction could start. Other posters might have better knowledge of the exact mechanics.

Indeed you are correct:

"Following receipt of tenders and subject to Government Approval to proceed the main construction contract will take three years to complete."

DumbBrunette · 18-06-2020 9:35am

I think it's unlikely too, but I never fully trust the Greens to be rational!

user1842 wrote: »

€200m

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/a3479a-minister-ross-announces-n5-ballaghaderreen-to-scramoge-road-project/

I think the only thing that will stop it now is a archaeological find. I cannot see the Cabinet holding it up, but I could be wrong.

Cosmo Kramer · 18-06-2020 1:19pm

It's only done and dusted when the contracts are signed and the machines are on site - so the N5 in Roscommon is not quite there yet.

In terms of representing his Mayo constituency in government the most productive thing Calleary can do in the next year is make sure the N5 project gets off the ground. The N26 is clearly something he wants to focus on but he can only really move that so far from it's current position, which is pretty much at the bottom of the queue.

marno21 · 18-06-2020 1:59pm

Important to note that the N5 scheme is the only major road scheme (with Dunkettle) that has planning permission. The M21 scheme should be through ABP before year end but there is years of advance works needed there before it can proceed.

The Green Party will drive cuts to the road programme but it won't be cut too far. There are no shovel ready public transport projects to soak up funding from any "ratio reversal".

Plus the penny might drop and they might learn that buses also use roads and that freight is needed to keep the economy running. It's not about evil cars and motorists ambition to run the environment.

Cosmo Kramer · 18-06-2020 3:10pm

marno21 wrote: »

Plus the penny might drop and they might learn that buses also use roads and that freight is needed to keep the economy running. It's not about evil cars and motorists ambition to run the environment.

I wouldn't bet on it!

In general I would be open to a lot of green agenda policies, public transport, recycling, clean energy etc. But the lack of pragmatism of the Irish Green Party when it comes to Ireland outside of Dublin is laughable and prevents them from ever progressing as a political party I think.

Cookiemunster · 18-06-2020 3:15pm

Cosmo Kramer wrote: »

I wouldn't bet on it!

In general I would be open to a lot of green agenda policies, public transport, recycling, clean energy etc. But the lack of pragmatism of the Irish Green Party when it comes to Ireland outside of Dublin is laughable and prevents them from ever progressing as a political party I think.

Idealism trumps realism in the Green Party. Loads of ideas thrown out as policy with no clue as to whether they're actually workable or not.

user1842 · 18-06-2020 7:15pm

Cookiemunster wrote: »

Idealism trumps realism in the Green Party. Loads of ideas thrown out as policy with no clue as to whether they're actually workable or not.

You could be right about the Greens destroying this project also:

https://dateway.net/greens-considering-railway-line-between-limerick-and-cork/

marno21 · 04-06-2021 1:43am

TII have sought to have this included as part of the review of the National Development Plan (this and 9 other schemes)

https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2021/05/14/put-foxford-ballyvary-road-back-on-agenda/

DumbBrunette · 16-10-2021 6:36pm

https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2021/10/15/funding-application-lodged-for-new-bypass-of-mayo-town/

Posting this here too as it's arguably the more appropriate thread.

Pete_Cavan · 17-10-2021 9:25pm

If a bypass of Foxford was to go on the western side of the town, would that suggest an intention to extend the N26 from the western end of the current new bridge project, over to the N86 and combine both roads in one bypass?

BelfastVanMan · 18-10-2021 8:09am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118033673#Comment_118033673

Surely you mean N58, not N86?

Pete_Cavan · 18-10-2021 9:44am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118034666#Comment_118034666

Yes of course, not sure what I was thinking.

BelfastVanMan · 18-10-2021 10:09am

I think you may be right, though; but in the short term, at least, I can't see this having any huge benefits, until the whole thing is completed.

Rougies · 31-01-2023 5:42pm

Hi guys, I know most of this thread is focused on the N26, but is there any news on the Castlebar-Bohola N5 upgrade?

Here https://www.mayo.ie/national-roads-office/schemes/in-planning/n5-n26-n58 it says "The proposed project will consider the upgrade of the existing N5 from Turlough to Bohola."

Do you think it would be likely to go ahead? And if so, would be right in saying it would be a newly built road running alongside the existing N5?

DumbBrunette · 31-01-2023 11:53pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120183188#Comment_120183188

I'd say Turlough to Bohola is on ice for now - it wouldn't be seen as particularly urgent because the road is decent already. There are separate projects in the early design phase for N26 Ballina to Foxford and N58 Foxford bypass, but that's it AFAIK.

Cosmo Kramer · 02-02-2023 11:35am

I don't think that stretch will get upgraded in the next 25 years at a minimum. Based on traffic numbers I felt there may have been justification to include Castlebar to Ballyvary as part of the Westport to Castlebar project (I think the AADT numbers are actually higher for Ballyvary to Castlebar than for Castlebar to Westport as a lot of the traffic doesn't continue past Castlebar), but it didn't happen so probably won't now as a standalone project. East of Ballyvary, after the turnoff for Ballina, the traffic numbers don't warrant any further upgrade as the current road is of a reasonably decent standard relative to it's usage.

DumbBrunette · 08-03-2023 3:50pm

Following the TII allocations last month, here's a quick summary of the 2 parts of this scheme that are currently being funded, the N58 Foxford bypass and N26 Mount Falcon to Foxford. Both were funded for the first time last year.

N58 Foxford bypass: This received 100k in 2022 and 250k this year. This is being progressed as a major project even though it would only be 3km of SC, most likely because the Moy crossing will be expensive. It is not included in the NDP but TII mentioned it specifically in a recent press release as a project that will progress rapidly, as part of the Government’s Town Centres First policy. Local councillors have come out strongly against the bypass, saying they were not consulted, so it will be interesting to see if they remain opposed.

It will also be interesting to see if the new Moy bridge will cause environmental concerns. The new bridge at Cloongullane was almost denied planning as the ABP inspector recommended refusal for environmental reasons, but was fortunately overruled by the Board.

N26 Mount Falcon to Foxford: This received 100k in 2022 and 200k in 2023. This will consist of the online upgrade of the N26 from Mount Falcon to the start of the planned Foxford bypass near O'Haras bakery. It hasn't been said officially but this would almost certainly be type 1 SC due to the traffic levels on this stretch of the N26.

At some point this project may have to be split as the full 8km upgrade may not be doable for less than the 20m euro cut-off for minor works projects. I would see this project as being more urgent than the Foxford bypass, and I think local people will feel the same way, but Eamon Ryan may have other ideas.

Healy92 · 08-03-2023 11:08pm

The bypass of Foxford could be so wide on the west side that it could be faster to still go through the town!

KrisW1001 · 09-03-2023 8:46am

That’s unlikely, The existing route is 2.3 km long, and under a 60 and 50 km/h limit for most of that distance (the southern approach is at 80). If the bypass is 3.0 km at 100km/h, or even 80, then even with no delays, you could not legally go through town in a shorter time.

The odd route is because this is a very small section of a much bigger plan to realign N5, N26 and N58 (N5/N26/N58 Castlebar East to Bohola and Swinford to Mount Falcon) The route corridor for that includes a northern bypass of Foxford carrying the N26 round to meet this section of road.

On safety grounds, I think the section south of Foxford should have been included, but then I suppose it would be over the price of a "small works" scheme.

Chris_5339762 · 09-03-2023 10:58pm

As long as it doesn't become like the Bishops Stortford bypass, which is a similar shape with 10 roundabouts. Or Burgess Hill, which got seven.

Thats my only worry about these town-centre specific bypasses, they tend to get festooned with roundabouts and become useless.

N5/N26/N58 - Castlebar-Bohola / Swinford-Mount Falcon

Comments