‘Lethal stretch’ of Sligo road in desperate need of improvement amid claim it ‘is killing people’

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

A motion before the February meeting of Sligo County Council queried why the N59 realignment works between Corhownagh and Lugnadeffa has not received funding in recent years while assurances were sought that the N17 project will receive the required funding.

The motion submitted by Cllr Michael Clarke stated, “Given that the N59 Corhownagh to Lugnadeffa realignment is shovel ready for five years and that no funding has been received in recent years and given that the N17 only received €1m in 2025 to progress the project, I call on Sligo County Council to write to the Taoiseach to commit to providing funding for the N59 and to give assurances that the N17 will receive the funding to be completed not like the N59.”

Speaking on behalf of the motion Cllr Clarke referred to the “Lethal stretch of road” and highlighted the condition of the carriageway which showed the locations of a number of accidents.

Stressing the need for the road to be improved Cllr Clarke said, “This infrastructure and this road is killing people. This is a huge tourism line that needs to be upgraded.”

Cllr Dara Mulvey was equally critical of the condition of the road which he noted is the main artery for people travelling from Sligo to Mayo saying, “Cars and lorries are losing control on this road.”

Cllr Mulvey added, “It’s not acceptable that we have to wait. It’s not good enough that we’re not getting projects like this moved on.”

Bernard Scott, Senior Executive Engineer Sligo County Council addressed the meeting to say the project has been “Developed up to the end of Phase 2. We have sought approval to move to Phase 3 and continue to receive no reply in relation to advancing.”

Cllr Fergal Nealon was in agreement that the section of road in question is “A very dangerous stretch of road” but poured cold water on the notion that the N17 project could be held up by a lack of funding.

“The €1m allocation for the N17 is not a sign of abandonment.”

Cllr Thomas Walsh was also in agreement when he said, “It is accurate to say the N17 is progressing,” while in relation to the N59 road he said, “It is disappointing to see the N59 off the list. It is an extremely dangerous stretch of road, it needs a lot of work and improvement.”

Supporting the motion Cllr Thomas Healy said, “We should be requesting the N59 is looked at again.”

Cllr Paul Taylor was also in agreement saying, “I support calls for funding for the N59, it is a very busy road.” In relation to the N17 Cllr Taylor said, “Up to now the Government have committed to it. We were told by the Director of Services that funding is in place for progression. We are told it cannot progress any faster, I don’t understand what more could be done.”

Cllr Joe Queenan also voiced his support for the motion saying, “We’re looking for sections to be taken out and realigned. It’s not huge money in today’s terms.”

Cllr Donal Gilroy expressed the view that the N17 is progressing but it is still some years away from being shovel ready. “2032 is a probable date for shovels in the ground. That is what we were told by Tom Kilfeather at my first SPC (Strategic Policy Committee) meeting. It is not shovel ready.”

Concluding the debate Cllr Clarke said the N59 “Cannot be left on the long finger,” while in relation to he N17 he remarked, “The fear is the N17 will be paused. Positive talking is what we need.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.