Mayo public’s views sought online for major road project
An online public consultation has opened on plans for the N58 Foxford Transport Project, a major road scheme aimed at easing congestion and improving safety in the busy Mayo town.
Mayo County Council, working with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), is inviting residents, landowners, and businesses to share their views on the project through a Virtual Public Consultation Room.
Residents are being asked to share their views on the project, highlight any constraints or opportunities within the study area, suggest design considerations for the project team, and offer comments on the current proposed study area.
The N58 is a national secondary road linking the N5 near Bellavary with the N26 at Foxford, forming part of the key route between Castlebar and Ballina.
Foxford sits at the junction of the N58 and N26, around 16 kilometres south of Ballina, where a one-way traffic system runs through the town centre.
To cross from one side of Foxford to the other, drivers must use the N26 and the River Moy bridge before rejoining the N58. Road widths vary along the N58, with some sections of the carriageway being less than six metres wide.
Footpaths in Foxford vary in width, and there are no dedicated cycle lanes, while parking is largely on-street, including along the N58.
Vehicles often move onto pavements to allow for HGVs and through-traffic to pass, contributing to congestion, noise, and air pollution without providing significant economic benefit to the town.
A traffic survey in 2023 found that 56pc of vehicles on the N58 pass straight through Foxford, adding to congestion, noise, and air pollution without bringing significant benefit to local businesses.
The N58 Foxford Transport Project aims to reduce through-traffic, lower emissions, and improve walking and cycling facilities, while enhancing connectivity within the town.
The scheme is currently in Phase One ‘Concept and Feasibility’, which involves reviewing physical, environmental, and social factors across the study area, from Stonehall and Srah in the north to Bellavary and Straide in the south.
A Feasibility Report will outline potential routes and traffic management options, with a second public consultation planned for 2026 to present shortlisted options before an Emerging Preferred Option is identified towards the end of 2026.
Following this, a Design and Environmental Evaluation is expected in 2027/2028, which will inform the preparation of a planning submission. The final stage, the Statutory Process, will involve a Part 8 planning application, pending government approval in 2028/2029.
While the council has promoted the online platform as a convenient way to gather feedback, local councillor Neil Cruise has criticised the decision not to hold an in-person consultation event in Foxford.
“I am not happy with this format,” Cllr Cruise said. “I sincerely believe that members of the National Roads Design Office in Castlebar, the consultants engaged, and any other stakeholders should attend an in-person consultation in Foxford for a period of four to five hours on a set date in the next two to three weeks.”
The Foxford-based councillor highlighted that not all residents have internet access and that a physical event would allow locals to ask questions directly.
“Such in-person consultations afford locals the chance to get a better understanding of the project and the process. All voices need to be heard on such important matters regarding our area.”
The online consultation runs from Wednesday, October 15 to Wednesday, November 5 2025, and submissions can be made online via a questionnaire before 11pm on the closing date.
Mayo County Council has said it will review all submissions from the public consultation alongside technical studies to help shape the next stage of the project’s design and assessment.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.