Dumping of rock and soil in Mayo area raises concern for local residents

Concerns have been raised about the dumping of rock and soil in an area on the outskirts of Castlebar.

“Out the Westport Road there is trucks hauling material, rock, stone, and clay,” Cllr Michael Kilcoyne told a meeting of Castlebar Municipal District.

The material is being dumped in the Ballymacrah area and Cllr Kilcyoyne said the heavy vehicles have taken a toll on the road.

“The road is a mess, all potholed, the side of the road is bursted. They are hauling it up and dumping it in an area known as the Nine Acres,” said the Independent councillor.

He called on Mayo County Council to investigate the practice.

“My understanding is that they have to have a waste permit. They have to have a permit for dumping clay and that kind of stuff. My information is that they have no permit. I’m asking the council to deal with this as a matter of urgency,” said Cllr Kilcoyne.

“There was no consulation with the residents,” added Cllr Cyril Burke.

Cllr Kilcoyne said the issue is impacting local householders.

“There is a man who lives out there who is in a wheelchair and he can’t get out onto the road because of all the holes that are in it. I want a commitment that this is going to be dealt with straight away because this is really serious,” said Cllr Kilcoyne.

“I was out there today and and saw two truck with no names on either side of them. I got a name alright though on the back of it. It’s just not good enough and it’s been going on for the last three or four weeks. It raises questions about how nobody has seen this," he added.