Road works under threat as material costs rise 33%

THE cost of materials for roads has risen by 33%.

It looks set to have a major impact on the Mayo programme of works unless a supplementary budget comes from the Department of Transport.

The department is currently gathering data from local authorities about the costs impact.

Road surfacing or strengthening may have to be scaled back as costs increase, the head of the Westport-Belmullet Municipal District, Padraig Walsh, warned at the authority's monthly meeting.

Asked by Councillor Paul McNamara if an application had been made to make up the shortfall in funding, Mr. Walsh explained how the head of roads has fed back information to the department which is now being considered.

Would that lead to a supplementary grant, he didn't know.

To work within the budget they have would mean cutbacks.

His preference there would be to defer some projects to next year and complete others in full.

The area engineer would liaise with councillors before any adjustments were made in that regard, he said.