The concerns of farmers, landowners and businesses in east Mayo must be heard and considered before a planned route is given the green light, two councillors have separately insisted.

Local Sinn Féin representative Gerry Murray has said the proposed N17 Charlestown bypass on the Knock to Collooney route will hinder future development and is “short-sighted”

He said there has been one to one consultations between landowners and farmers and officials over the last two weeks in Knock and Tubbercurry.

People have been raising their concerns and you can’t compromise the ability of a town like Charlestown to develop,” Cllr Murray said.

“But all of that potential, that bank of development land east of Charlestown will now be dissected by this proposed N17.

The State body had purchased 16 acres of land at Lavey, near Charlestown, in 2004 when the N5 bypass was being constructed and assured the impacted landowners they would not be affected again because Lavey would be the connection point for the N5 onto a new N17.

However, the 16 acres are now not included on the new proposed N17 route running from Ireland West Airport to Collooney.

Meanwhile, the Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr Dara Mulvey said while the project will benefit many people the impact on the lives of people must be considered.

“The concerns of the farmers and small businesses along the planned route should be taken on board before the final contracts are signed,” he said.

“I suggest that we examine the concerns of communities along the N5 project in Mayo and see what can be learned from them. If this means a delay of 2 or 3 months in starting the project , so be it. “

Public submissions can be made until March 31 by emailing  [email protected]