Spring start for north Mayo sea wall repairs

REPAIR work on the Bundoola sea wall in north Mayo will start in the spring, when over-wintering birds leave the area.

The news was confirmed to Councillor Gerry Coyle at a municipal district meeting today where he expressed disappointment that the works were not completed this year.

District head Padraic Walsh said an undertaking to finish the works this year was never given.

The contractor had suggested an alternative precast design, he said, which took some teasing out. While the work wasn't on-site, the precasting can commence during the period when the over-wintering birds are in Erris, preventing any works on-site.

The contractor was expected to be back on site at the end of spring.

Councillor Coyle questioned how anyone can come up with an idea that a few people building a wall will upset the birds. “I would love to see the science,” he told the meeting.

His colleague Councillor Sean Carey welcomed that the works will be done next year, saying the wall has been a cause of major concern for the locality, with people afraid about high tides and strong winds.

He said he wanted to see work starting as soon as possible.