Newport Greenway in Mayo will not be completed until 2028
Newport is set to undergo a transformation over the next few years and become an iconic town in Ireland thanks to the creation of a Greenway.
Westport and Belmullet Municipal District councillors have welcomed the part eight planning process for the Newport Greenway.
However, they expressed concerns over the lengthy process, which will not see the project completed until February 2028.
The proposed route is 1100m in length and starts on the Westport Road, creating a new three to four-metre-wide Greenway through Newport Town.
The proposed development will run from Knocknageeha to Kilbride and link with the existing Great Western Greenway.
The project includes the realignment of the N59 along Medlicott Street, with improved safety, formalised parking, and enhanced public realm spaces.
A four-metre-wide Greenway ramp will be constructed from Medlicott Street up to the Seven Arches Bridge, ensuring accessible connections.
The route then continues across Castlebar Street with new footpaths and formalised parking, before passing near the old train station and the Barrack Hill car park, providing easy pedestrian access to the main street.
Bike parking, trailhead facilities, rest areas, public toilets, and additional car parking will be provided as part of the development.
There were 13 submissions made in relation to the planning process, all were considered and responded to by Mayo County Council.
Cllr Flynn thanked everyone who made submissions to the planning process. He noted that while people often express complaints privately, few put pen to paper to voice their concerns.
Some submissions were positive, while others raised concerns about the potential impacts of the Greenway project.
“That’s exactly what the consultation process should be about”, he said, “I welcome the feedback, and I welcome the project overall. It is a huge step in the development for Newport.”
He highlighted that over the next year, Newport will see the construction of the Enterprise Hub begin, as well as works on Main Street and Medlicott Street.
“This [project] running in parallel is a huge step forward. I think Newport is going to be transformed and it’s going to be a special town - not just in Mayo but right across the country,” said Cllr Flynn.
“I think it’s going to have huge potential. To get to this next phase where people can safely go through the town, still be part of the town centre so businesses can still ensure they get their ‘piece of pie’, is really welcome,” he added.
He then requested an update on the project’s timeline.
Following approval of the part eight planning process, a consultant will lead the project through the detailed design phase. A tender for these consultancy services is currently open, with submissions due by October 23.
This next phase is expected to take approximately 12 months, concluding in December 2026. Next, a three-month procurement process will extend the timeline to February 2027.
A 12-month construction period will mean the project is expected to be completed by February 2028.
Cllr Flynn was taken aback by how long the project is expected to take, commenting that it is a lengthy process.
Cllr Brendan Mulroy said he was worried about the timeline, but welcomed the project and its potential to improve public safety in Newport.
A member of the National Roads Design Office explained that the 12-month design phase accounts for necessary ground investigations, as elements such as the ramp from the local playground to the viaduct require a more complex assessment.
The meeting was informed that the February 2028 completion date was a conservative estimate and that the timeline would be expedited wherever possible.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme