West held back by poor rail and roads

POOR roads and railways are holding back the economic growth of the West, according to the Western Development Commission (WDC).

At the launch of its annual report in Sligo yesterday, the WDC outlined positive developments such as community wind farms and ‘green’ tourism involving walks and organic restaurants, for the West.

But it was “very concerned” about €644 million of unspent funding for the seven western counties: Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Mayo, Galway and Clare. Of the €1,570m allocated to the region under the first three years of the National Development Plan, only €926m was actually spent.