Pontoon at Mayo pier to return soon

THE pontoon at Dugort, Achill, will be back in the water very soon.

The facility provides a vital link with Blacksod in Erris, and local Councillor Paul McNamara has hit out at it being ‘ridiculous’ that it is not in place coming into July.

It was agreed to take it away in the winter, but to have it back out again in May, he told a municipal district meeting.

Head of marine Michael O’Boyle said the pontoon is in an exposed area and he had taken a conservative approach as he didn’t want it to get wrecked.

It was damaged last year and has been repaired and his hope is to have it in and working in the very near future.

Longer term, there is a scheme in the pipeline for widening the pier, and following consultation, Mr. O’Boyle is to come back with a redesign that can accommodate the fishermen as well.

* Funded under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme