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Sligo County Manager Hubert Kearns talks about the main issues facing Sligo Local Authorities and identifies how it is proposed to meet the infrastructural and service requirements of a growing population.

REGIONAL CENTRE

Gateway designation has provided an important impetus to the development of Sligo. It is clear that the growth of Sligo as a regional centre is critical to achieving the critical mass and quality of life that people aspire to in the northwest. Over the past number of years we have benefited from significant investment. The level of private investment is encouraging, showing that the private sector has confidence in the potential of Sligo City. Further developments are planned for 2007 onwards valued at over E220m. The city now has a mix of residential, office, hotel and retail facilities in line with any growing city in the country. Many agencies and sectors have a role in delivering on the potential of a Gateway. We see ourselves as the leaders and our planned developments provide the catalyst to further investments by the private sector. We recognise that to achieve the potential of Gateway status requires the delivery on a number of investment priorities. Sligo local authoritieshave six short term priorities:-

• Targeted urban renewal and urban enhancement initiatives
• Delivery of strategic urban distributor routes
• Provision of regional sports and recreation facilities
• Development of arts/cultural facilities
• Promoting social inclusion
• Strengthening the emerging research and innovation capacity

Proposals have been presented to Government and we are confident that they will support us in delivering on our development needs. Success in delivering on Gateway status potential also requires partnerships with the private sector and other public sector agencies. We are striving to continue to provide the leadership that will maximise this potential.

CHALLENGE FOR LOCAL AUTHORITIES

The structure of Sligo’s population is changing as the recent Census has shown, with a population increase of 4.6% since 2002. The population of Electoral Divisions within 10 miles of Sligo has increased by 8.91% (1,810) with growth occurring principally in satellite villages (Strandhill, Collooney, Grange, Carney). The result is that over 40,000 people (circa 66% of the County’s population) live in Sligo City or within 10 miles of it. Further population growth is expected for 2007-2008, following construction/completion of residential developments permitted since 2004. This provides the local authorities with challenges to meet the infrastructural and service requirements of a growing population. We have invested significantly in the necessary infrastructure which includes investment in roads, Sligo’s Main Drainage project, Water Treatment plants and social and affordable housing initiatives.

PEDESTRIANISATION

I am encouraged by the response to the new traffic management arrangements in Sligo city: I predicted that the opening of the Inner Relief Road would ease congestion in the city centre and I am pleased to report that this is the case. However, this was only one part of our extensive programme of traffic management projects. Pedestrianisation was introduced in Sligo’s O’Connell Street in August.  Other measures were also introduced to facilitate the enhancement of the city centre and make it a more pleasant environment for pedestrians. We will continue to introduce improvements in 2007 to ensure smoother traffic flow throughout Sligo town. The focus for 2007 will be on working to deliver a Western ByPass and Eastern Bridge to meet the ongoing challenges of traffic management. In addition, funding will be sought for investment on national roads including the N4, N17, N15 and N16.

BALANCED DEVELOPMENT

In providing for balanced development we are working to deliver a number of key projects which focus on quality of life issues.  Plans for Cranmore, amenity  development throughout the City and investment in cultural facilities will ensure that Sligo City is the location of choice for those living, working and visiting the northwest. Meeting the increasing needs of a growing population requires ongoing commitment by the members and executive of Sligo Local Authorities. We have a number of distinctive competencies including the broad scope of our expertise, our networking and community links and our commitment to ensuring local balanced development.  We must continue to assess and develop initiatives to meet the needs of our community, and support is needed from both a local and national level.

COMMUNITY

I am confident that the local authorities will continue to deliver on the needs of the community. We have a number of key strengths going forward including the quality of our urban fabric and local landscape and our commitment to innovation and creativity in meeting the challenges of a changing society.

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