'Challenging' to spend €1.2m. allocated to Mayo road by year end

THE assertion that it will be 'challenging' for the council to spend €1.2 million allocated for a road project in south Mayo before the end of the year has been robustly rejected by elected representatives.

“I'm not standing over a scenario where one shilling of that is going back,” Councillor Damian Ryan has told senior management.

The upgrade relates to the R332 Foxhall project, which sees significant traffic as a link to the motorway in Tuam.

It was the only strategic roads grant issued in the county this year and, at the municipal district's monthly meeting yesterday, Councillor Ryan questioned when a contractor will be on the ground.

He also has an eye on next year, saying he'll be putting pressure on the county's ministers for a further allocation to complete the works.

“This is a critical piece of infrastructure,” he emphasised, with a huge traffic count as people use it to access the motorway.

However, director of services Tom Gilligan informed him that a contractor hasn't been appointed yet and that probably won't happen until the last quarter of the year.

“It is going to be very challenging to fully spend that €1.2 million between now and the end of the year,” he stated.

This was roundly rejected by Councillor Ryan who said he can't and won't put up with that.

“I won't tolerate that,” he told Mr. Gilligan.

He would do whatever he has to do at every level to get the money spent.

They were long enough looking for money and he wanted it spent. They need to be in a position to accept an allocation next year to complete it, he added.

“Whatever has to happen to get that money spent and work underway, it should happen.”

Councillor Patsy O'Brien noted how the announcement was made and six months down the road and nothing was done.

The year is long enough without leaving it to the last minute, he said. When money is allocated, they should be ready to go.