All signs point to Carrick - Bypass will 'open the west up' for visitors

President of Carrick-on-Shannon Chamber of Commerce president Finola Armstrong-McGuire has stated that the Chamber will do all they can to ensure that people use the new Carrick bypass to visit the town. 

She was speaking after the announcement by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) that Leitrim will receive €3.1 million for projects including the Carrick-on-Shannon Bypass and the N4 at Dromod. 

Ms Armstrong-McGuire told the Leitrim Observer: "The funding is coming piecemeal and it's very welcome because a surety that the bypass is happening. I've said it before repeatedly that it has to happen and we'll work in Carrick Chamber to ensure that Carrick is seen to the town that it is and that it's welcoming and people will take the detour and come into town when they have time and want to do so."

She said the new bypass will facilitate those who travel between those towns such as Sligo and Mullingar and "it will open the west up very much particularly for people outside of Carrick-on-Shannon. Its going to be a huge asset to have the town as it is, by the Shannon, the gem that it is, and we will work to make it the town that it can be and has been. I think business-wise, we have no worries. We will still have people who want to come into town for different reasons and who live in Carrick and work from Carrick. The bypass will facilitate people from every walk of life."

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She noted that signs will be erected roundabouts to direct motorists into the town. "We will have signs encouraging people to come into the town and telling them what is in the town such as good food and beverages as well as the shops, banks, post offices etc. We will work hard on that to make sure people know they are passing a town that is full of facilities. The walkability of Carrick and attraction of the parks I hope will draw people in to break up their journey when they are making a long journey. It's good to see that the money is coming and I'm watching to see money coming to other things too but we certainly want to see the bypass progressed."