The long-awaited bypass of Moycullen has the potential to provide a huge economic boost for the village – because rather than taking traffic away, it will provide the opportunity for retail to develop without the congestion.

That’s according to Cllr Noel Thomas (FF) who said that the €40 million bypass was a long time in the mix but was now nearing completion.

As it stands, the main Galway to Clifden road carries an estimated 17,000 vehicles a day which meant a major bottleneck in the village at peak times of the day.

The Fianna Fail councillor from Moycullen has been informed that the project, which was carried out by Wills Brothers, is close to completion and will rid the village of the chronic traffic congestion that currently exists.

He also said that it would also prevent motorists having to negotiate flooded roads near the village as was experienced this week.

The project saw the construction of a 4.3km (over two and a half miles) standard single carriageway road bypass of Moycullen village and all ancillary works.

It extends from the townland of Drimcong approximately 1.5km north-west of the village to the townland of Clydagh which is around 2km south-east of Moycullen.

Cllr Thomas said that while the bypass for Moycullen had been discussed as far back as 2011, it was great to see it eventually come to fruition.

“It will provide access to potential development land, and this can only be good for the village,” he said.

“A lot of people see bypasses as being negative for towns and villages but as far as Moycullen is concerned, it presents loads of opportunities.

“Suddenly we will have a situation that motorists travelling between Galway and Clifden will want to stop in Moycullen as the traffic gridlock will be a thing of the past.

“Also it is an opportunity for local retail and even pubs and restaurants to consider developing and promoting their businesses,” Cllr Thomas added.

He is even advocating the development of a shopping centre in the village and believes that locals should liaise with Galway County Council when it comes to business initiatives.