Anger over neglect of R312 vented at Mayo pre-election protest
AN ERRIS-based group campaigning for major investment in the Belmullet to Castlebar (R312) roadway insisted they will continue protesting until funding for the project is finally put in place.
Over 300 people marched through the streets of Castlebar this evening to highlight their anger and frustration over a series of broken promises made to the people of north Mayo over many years in respect of the route.
Carrying a banner which read 'How Many More Lives Until the R312 Is Repaired?', they paraded from Mulrory's Roundabout on the N5 to the headquarters of Mayo County Council via Springfield, Charles Street, Lucan Street, Main Street, Ellison Street and the Mall.
A number of Mayo general election candidates joined them, including Deputy Dara Calleary, Senator Rose Conway-Walsh, Alan Dillon, Gerry Loftus and Paul Lawless.
Speaking on the steps of Aras an Chontae, Damien Langan, president of Erris Chamber of Commerce, said the road has been neglected for over 30 years and it is time for the government and Mayo County Council to fully realise the importance of the road which the main link between the towns of Belmullet and Castlebar, where Mayo University Hospital is located.
He said ambulance paramedics told him it is the only road in the county where patients and accompanying family members regularly suffered from motion sickness en route to hospital.
It was also difficult for ambulance drivers to travel at speeds reaching to the limit in an emergency due to the road's poor condition, having to travel at less that 40 mph in places.
“We will not halt our campaign until concrete funding is put in place to upgrade the entire road, not just sections here and there. That approach is not good enough.
“We believe the problem is Mayo County Council as it has never applied for funding to ensure investment in the complete route.
“Erris people pay the same rates and taxes as other people in the county. All we are asked is for the same support and treatment as the rest of the county.”
Brendan Lavelle, chairman of the R312 Action Committee, said €241 million is being spent on a dual carriageway between Turlough and Westport at a time when there is a not proper single carrriageway between Belmullet and Castlebar.
“As far as we are concerned, that's a joke. With half of that money, a proper road could have been constructed to Belmullet while still upgrading the Castlebar to Westport route.
“The sad reality is that those who made the decisions don't consider the needs of the people who use the road - but the number of people who travel the road.
“We are protesting because we want to make the road safer. In the last three weeks, I have seen a truck and three cars go off the road.
“When I got my hands on the submission by Mayo County Council of its list of applications for funding for roads in the county, it was shocking to learn the lowest figure was being sought for the worst road in the county. It's a disgrace.
“I have seen patients being treated by paramedics on the side of the road. The people of Erris are entitled to better than that. They should be treated equally.”
In a statement issued to The Connaught Telegraph after the event, Senator Rose Conway-Walsh said the fact Erris has not been represented by its own TD for over 50 years is a significant factor in the neglect of the R312.