Request for extra funding for road repairs in Mayo

A SUPPLEMENTARY budget is to be sought for roads in Mayo.

Roads funding has increased by 3% this year - but that's in the face of costs rising by 35%.

The lack of funding for local and regional roads has again been highlighted by Achill-based Councillor Paul McNamara, who said roads are 'falling apart' and a major health and safety issue.

In his own area, the R319 had seen two accidents recently, including one fatality.

Potholes are being filled, creating bumps. At the Sandybanks in Keel, an SAC, everything was being preserved apart from the road. At Cashel, he had sought funding for three bridges to be replaced.

Unless substantial funding was spent on the R319, it will be gone past trying to keep up with repairs, and the situation with the local roads is the same.

Councillor McNamara said he has met with the minister and requested a second allocation of funding.

Councillor Peter Flynn agreed the increased costs of works was not reflected in their budget and he proposed they write to the minister for supplementary funding in that amount.

Erris Councillor Gerry Coyle was 'completely dismayed' by the roads programme, saying there are roads in his area that are not fit to drive on.

With the gas and windmills the area sends millions up to the coffers of Mayo County Council every year, and yet they got less than ever for their roads.

In Shraigh, they were trying to keep the school open but people can hardly bring their children in the winter. The road out of Doohoma is not fit to travel on, he added.

They were not getting a fair share of the cake and were expected to take the crumbs, said Councillor Coyle.

His frustration was felt by area colleague Councillor Sean Carey who said people in rural areas depend on their local roads, and they are in a 'deplorable' condition.