The building of third bridge in Sligo should alleviate traffic congestion in the town.
For the past three decades, local politicians have waxed lyrical about the need for a third bridge for Sligo town.
Sligo has two bridges crossing the Garavogue river that are unable to cope with the number of vehicles passing through the town. There have been piecemeal changes such as one-way systems and traffic lights introduced to address the congestion. However, traffic jams remain commonplace.
The only solution to the problem is to build a third bridge which allows traffic to avoid the town centre.
Provision for funding the construction of the bridge has now been made by the government. However, just two weeks ago, Minister of State at the Department of the Environment Ruairi Quinn, warned Sligo corporation that if they do not spend the money quickly, it might not be available in the next financial year. All Sligo councillors are in favour of building the bridge. A challenge lies in the approach route to the new bridge. Some councillors are not happy with the proposed route to the bridge and want to make sure that the residents affected will be properly compensated. Critics of the council believe that construction work on the bridge and approach route will not start for up to ten years. The town of Sligo would benefit immediately from the building of the bridge.
Lord Mayor of Sligo Cathleen McGoldrick originally opposed plans for the bridge but has recently had a change of mind. She now believes that residents living in the area will not be disturbed for between 10 and 20 years.
There has been much criticism about the behaviour of Sligo Corporation. President of Sligo Chamber of Commerce Richard Lyons deplores corporation procrastination to get the development started. He fears that Sligo will lose the three million pounds that has been allocated.
We need the bridge built now and it's up to Sligo Corporation to take this decision immediately.
Hugh Mullen, President of the Sligo Federation of Self-Employed, says that the corporation is not carrying out the wishes of the people and is playing politics with the issue of building the bridge.
The bridge plan has been mooted for over the last sixty years. Now, we have a chance of actually getting a bridge. The money is available and the officials are afraid to make the decision.
Following another vote on the issue last week, the corporation has agreed to accept the proposed plans. It seems as though an end to Sligo traffic problems is in sight.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 1 December 1983. The reporter is Tommie Gorman.
