Public invited to have their say on Castlebar’s new Orbital Connect Route
A public information event is to be held on the proposed Castlebar Orbital Connect Route, the first major project to be advanced under the town’s Local Transport Plan.
The Orbital Connect Route will form the backbone of Castlebar’s Active Travel Network, linking the key northern, southern, eastern and western approach roads directly with the town centre.
The project aims to provide a safer and more accessible way for people to walk and cycle throughout Castlebar, connecting The Mall, the train station, Lough Lannagh and a number of key residential areas.
The orbital route will bring together eight busy sections of road throughout Mayo’s county town.
This includes: R309 Westport Road, Lannagh Road, Humbert Way, John Moore Road, Pavilion Road, Lawn Road, Station Road and Ballinrobe Road, and finally Milebush Road.
Described to be the town’s ‘primary active travel spine’, the Orbital Connect Route aims to strengthen day-to-day sustainable mobility, support healthier travel choices and enhance connectivity across Castlebar.
A period of non-statutory public consultation will give members of the public an opportunity to submit comments, observations and feedback on the proposed design.
Consultation will open on Wednesday, March 4, and run until Tuesday, April 14.
A drop-in public information event, where residents can meet the project team, will take place on Thursday, March 26, from 4pm to 7pm at the Lough Lannagh Leisure Centre.
A public webinar will also be held on Thursday, March 12, for those unable to attend in person. The webinar will be recorded and made available to view afterwards.
All plans relating to the proposed development will be available on Mayo County Council’s Consult website, where submissions and observations can also be made online.
Alternatively, plans and detailed drawings can be viewed in person at the Castlebar Municipal District offices, Áras an Chontae, The Mall.
Written submissions can also be sent to ‘Castlebar Active Travel - Orbital Connect Route’ at the Ballinrobe Area Office, Kilmaine Road, Ballinrobe, Mayo, before the consultation closing date.
The project forms part of the Castlebar Active Travel Plan, adopted in 2024, which sets out a framework for future transport investment in the area.
The plan aims to guide the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in Castlebar and support the development of a sustainable transport network.
In line with Government targets to reduce transport emissions by 50pc by 2030, relative to 2018 levels, and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, local authorities across Ireland are working to expand their active travel infrastructure.
This includes plans to develop facilities that encourage active travel such as walking and cycling, alongside strengthening public transport services and enhancing overall network capacity.
While private cars remain the most common mode of transport within Castlebar, the Active Travel Plan is hoping to reduce reliance on car use and promote more sustainable transport options.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.