Anger over council decision not to grit busy Mayo road 

A Mayo councillor has expressed his anger and dismay that Mayo County Council does not have enough money to grit a busy stretch of road this winter.

Fianna Fail’s Michael Loftus vented his frustrations at the monthly meeting of the local authority.

Council officials have told Cllr Loftus that there is not enough funding to grit the busy Crossmolina to Ballycastle road this year.

The Crossmolina councillor was livid at the decision to exclude the 22km stretch of road from the winter maintenance programme.

“That section of road has never been done, it’s never been considered. It’s not good enough,” said Cllr Loftus.

“I don’t often get mad but I’m really mad about this. It’s 22km of a section of road that needs to be done, and I want it done,” he added.

Cllr Loftus said people now face the prospect of driving in dangerous conditions or not being able to make it to work this winter. 

“It’s a very busy road,” said his party colleague Annie May Reape.

Director of Services Tom Gilligan told Cllr Loftus that he was already received the answer that the road will not be gritted. This prompted an exasperated response from the councillor.

“That’s not a good enough answer, that they haven’t got the money to do it,” said Cllr Loftus.

He said the council will not purchase another lorry to carry out the work.

“It’s a matter of personnel as well,” stated Mr Gilligan.

“I thought we were supposed to be running the council. There is your answer,” remarked Cllr Michael Kilcoyne.