Councillors angry over 'neglect' of 21 kilometres of Mayo roadway

TWO roads in north Mayo need to be added to the list for gritting, a meeting of Ballina Municipal District has been told.

Councillor Michael Loftus said he had been told previously by Mayo County Council chief executive Kevin Kelly that there was no funding in last year's budget for the R315 from Crossmolina to Ballycastle.

He argued that with 19 wind turbines now approved for the Ballycastle area, the council is set to get a good income from rates from that development, and he would be pushing for the money to be put into the gritting budget.

There would be 'no excuses' next year, he said.

“There's 21 kilometres of roadway that's being neglected badly by the council, and it needs addressing,” concluded Councillor Loftus.

Another north Mayo road – the L1124 Church Road from Ballina to the N26 Foxford-Swinford road – also needs gritting, said Councillor John O'Hara.

“I'm told there's no money for it, but it's like a bottle. It's deadly. It's the first road to get slippery and the last to get any salt. I'm asking for it to be included (in the budget) next year.”

Orla Bourke, engineer, said the gritting programme is at capacity, although they can deal with minor local issues as they occur.

“There's no heed on us,” said Councillor O'Hara.

“When a fatality comes, that is when they will do something.”

Meanwhile, both Councillor Loftus and Councillor O'Hara said roads being left in a state of disrepair due to Coillte and the National Parks & Wildlife Service – one at Shanvolahan, Crossmolina, and one at Derrew, Crossmolina.

They highlighted that funds for road repairs come out of the council's budget while damage is done by other bodies.

* Published under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.