Mayo residents ‘living a nightmare’ over protracted road work disturbances
RESIDENTS of Kilkenny, Breaffy Road, Castlebar, have spoken out over the ongoing rock-breaking works taking place within close proximity to their homes as part of the development of the new €250 million roadway between Turlough and Westport.
They have been in contact with Mayo County Council and the regional roads office to highlight their concerns to their wellbeing – as well as the damage being caused to their homes – as a result of the noise, dust and vibrations generated from the rock-breaking 12 hours daily.
And the final straw was reached for them last Friday when they learned that rockbreaking is also taking place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, which started on September 4, until the rock is removed.
The emailed notification confirmed that no definitive date can be given for the cessation of these works but a noise monitor will be put in place on the nearest house to the works ‘to check the levels of noise are below the limit allowed’.
Residents will be informed before blasting of the rocks takes place.
One of the residents, Emer Quinn, said they are at the end of their tether in respect of the issue because they were never informed this type of work would continue beyond a year.
She left her home for seven months and lived in a rented house paid for by the council as a gesture due to noise levels caused by rock-breaking literally outside her door.
She returned last April because she could not find another house to rent after the lease expired.
“This is impacting on my family and my mental health. I am totally stressed, as are my neighbours.
"We are at our limits with it and we are now told the rock-breaking will continue into 2022. No one can be expected to put up with that level of intrusion everyday. It's torture and cannot continue like this.”
She added: “I have explored every avenue to address our concerns but to no avail, sadly.”
Her neighbour, Donal Gallagher, said he blamed Mayo County Council for allowing such an intolerable situation to develop.
“It's crazy what we are expected to put up with and God knows what the impact will be on our houses in 10 years time. The situation has been a nightmare for all of us and will continue to be so for some time to come.”
Tony Burke and Mary Tuohy are two other householders impacted in a similar way and they are very disappointed their voices are not being heard.
Also supportive of the residents at the coalface of the issue is Martin J. Reddington, chairman of Breaffy Community Council.
He said apart from the problems relating to blasting, noise, disruption and dust over a prolonged period, there has been a lack of communications with the community and the residents during the course of the works to date.
"The residents rightly feel their concerns have been dismissed and that has compounded their frustrations.”
In a response to the concerns raised by the residents, a spokesperson for Mayo County Council told The Connaught Telegraph: "The council can confirm that the contractors for the N5 Westport to Turlough Road Project Design & Build Contract, Wills BAM JV, are adhering to the conditions of the construction requirements and the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in regards to the time and vibration limits specified for the control of blasting in all areas of the project."