Councillor warns North Sligo roads left behind as €20.56m funding focuses on wider county network

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Independent Councillor Marie Casserly has welcomed investment in the N15 and N16 but said the figures highlight the need for much greater investment in North Sligo’s road network, particularly on the N15 between Grange and the Leitrim border.

The Department of Transport’s 2026 allocation gives Sligo County Council €20.56 million through the Regional and Local Roads programme.

However, Cllr Casserly said it is important to distinguish between the overall county allocation and funding specifically identifiable for North Sligo and the national routes serving the area.

The Department’s allocation document separately identifies €1.825 million for Strategic Regional and Local Roads in Sligo, including €1.8 million for the Eastern Garavogue River Bridge.

Cllr Casserly said the €1.5 million for the N16 towards the county boundary is particularly welcome, but the situation on the N15 remains a concern.

“The N16 is receiving significant investment, including €1.5 million towards pavement works towards the county boundary. That is welcome and necessary.

“But when we look at the N15 through North Sligo, the identifiable allocation is much more modest. The €25,000 for the Grange Active Travel Scheme is important in getting the project progressed, but it is not the level of capital investment required to actually deliver the improvements that residents and road users need.

We need to move beyond planning and consultation and into delivery

“Grange has grown considerably, traffic volumes have increased and there are genuine safety concerns for pedestrians, cyclists, residents and motorists. The Council itself has progressed a public consultation on the N15 Grange Active Travel Scheme this year.

“We need to move beyond planning and consultation and into delivery.”

Cllr Casserly also pointed to the wider N15 corridor.

“The N15 is a critical national route connecting Sligo with North Sligo, Donegal and the North West. It needs to be treated as strategic infrastructure, not simply as a road that receives routine maintenance.

“I have consistently raised concerns about the section from Grange through Cliffoney and towards the Leitrim border, including the need for improved pedestrian facilities, safer junctions, appropriate speed management and investment in the road itself.

“Recent Council discussions have also highlighted the need for funding for the N15, with the Council confirming that it intends to apply to TII for 2027 funding for the N15 and N17 in Q4 2026.

Cllr Casserly said the figures also demonstrate why the €20.56 million headline figure for Sligo needs to be treated carefully.

“It is welcome to see €20.56 million allocated to Sligo, but that money covers the entire county and a wide range of programmes. It cannot be presented as €20.56 million being invested in North Sligo.

“What people in North Sligo want to know is very simple: what is being invested in our roads, when will the work happen and when will the safety improvements be delivered?

“The N16 is seeing substantial investment and that needs to continue. But we must also ensure that the N15 receives the level of investment required to make it safer and fit for the future.

“North Sligo has an important role to play in the economic development of the county and the wider North West. Our infrastructure has to keep pace with that growth.

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.