Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has allocated €300,000 to upgrade stretches of the N59 between Bunnakill and Maam Cross.

Fianna Fáil TD for Galway West Éamon Ó Cuív welcomed the announcement, however he repeated calls for Galway County Council to ensure that improvement works at the National Park near Letterfrack are undertaken.

Deputy Ó Cuív said: "The N59 is the main road connecting Connemara to Galway city, and indeed the rest of the country, but large stretches of it are in dire need of upgrade and repair works. Following correspondence with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the agency has confirmed that €300,000 has been allocated to carry out preparatory work on a 5km section of the road between Bunnakill and Maam Cross, which can then be submitted to An Bord Pleanála for approval.

-- Advertisement --

"TII has also assigned funding for pavement improvement works along the Oughterard to Bunnakill road. However, the money has been earmarked to be rolled out over a two year period, while I believe that it's imperative that this work is carried out this year, particularly in view of the fact that money, which had been provided for the N59 project in previous years, had not been spent. I have written to TII to press this issue and to call for an immediate start date for this essential project."

(CD/LM)