Councillor Adams welcomed back
Fianna Fáil councillor Margaret Adams was welcomed back by her fellow town councillors at the monthly town council meeting which took place last Thursday.
The councillor took the opportunity to thank her fellow councillors, town council staff, and the public for any cards or well-wishes which she received in the past few months.
Councillors support The Cove
Councillors voiced their support for the local youth centre, The Cove, after representatives from the facility addressed the council.
Councillors heard that there has been an increase in users attending the centre, yet operational costs have remained the same.
Westport councillors asked that a permanent home for the centre be discussed, perhaps in relation to the town council’s plans for their new civic office in the convent.
Pedestrian crossing at Golf Course Road
With the opening of the new Gaelscoil on the Golf Course Road, further traffic calming measures and a pedestrian crossing from Michael Davitt Park to the school will soon be put in place.
Streets to be upgraded in town
Further street improvements in the town and the Quay area were discussed at the meeting.
Simon Wall, town architect, said that alongside work which has already been completed on Mill Street and Shop Street, further work in the Octagon area will commence, with plans for an extra pedestrian crossing in the area and designated licensed trading bays.
Also, for premises which have outdoor seating areas, there will be studs placed on the street so owners know where they can put outdoor seating. Public consultations will take place about such plans.
As for the Quay area, there are plans to rectify the irregular footpaths on the hotels side of the Quay and to narrow and define the current road out there. There are also plans to widen the road which leads to Westport House. The junction area outside the Helm, is to also be enhanced with a visual attraction, which will entice more visitors to the area.
Acting town manager Martin Keating said that a more detailed drawing of the Quay will be before councillors after the summer.
Bring bus shelters to the stops
Cllr Margaret Adams asked whether a bus shelter could be erected near the bus stops on Mill Street as currently the bus shelter is away from where the buses pull in. Cllr Myles Staunton concurred that this was a good idea, and Mr Wall said that this can be looked at.
Westport to be activity capital
The aim of making Westport an activity capital was relayed to members by Martin Keating while discussing festivals in the town.
The town have a €30k budget for 17 listed festivals, of which two are new additions — a food festival from September 2 to 4 and the Meet on the Reek festival from September 23 to 25. The popular music festival will take place this year from August 5 to 7.
