Fisheries concerns lead to delay in completion of key road project

The deadline for completion of works on the R312 road from Castlebar to Belmullet is being delayed following concerns raised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI).

Mayo County Council's Head of Roads Conrad Harley informed members of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District at their December meeting that there are two specific projects ongoing on the road. The first is at Glenisland, which is more advanced and involves taking out a bad bend. He said IFI had "posed a challenge" about a river crossing along the route of the re-aligned road. 

“The project isn’t stopped but we have to review it in relation to that and we have a proposed solution and will work through that. But it will mean we have to go through it all again and reduce the river crossing down to a minimum.” 

Mr Harley said the second project on the R312 related to a 10km stretch near Bellacorick, which is being funded by a strategic rehabilitation for regional and local roads grant.

“We are awaiting what allocation we will get and have asked that we do it on a phased basis over a number of years with a view to getting the 10km completed.” 

Fianna Fáil Cllr Sean Carey called for the R312 to be designated as a strategic road so as to draw down greater state funding for works. 

“There is 10km of works being proposed but from Bellacorick to Castlebar is 44km. It has been a great job what’s done so far, a very smooth overlay, but it’s very discouraging to hear of the problem with IFI on realignment. That is a real bad stretch of road and I hope whatever problems there can be ironed out. 

"I ask that the whole R312 be designated a strategic road to attract a large amount of funding so that works could be at a faster pace. There are a lot of bends in it but if you have a smooth surface and take the bumps out of it, that will help, because there are so many at present it’s nearly like being at sea traveling it. People are not asking for a motorway but just a road accessible to everyone.” 

Cllr Gerry Coyle said the R312 is the main road from Belmullet to Mayo University Hospital in Castlebar and is "an absolute disgrace", adding that works on 10km “is just not enough”. 

“People in a crash or with an illness, the ambulance has to creep up that road. If you went into A&E from Belmullet you would probably be discharged because they would know you survived the ambulance journey up to it. As Cllr Carey said, you would be seasick on the bumps, you wouldn’t get as much going to the islands in Inishkea.” 

Mr Harley said he would consult with Castlebar Municipal District to see if works could be carried out on the section of the road included in that district, adding: "We do need to focus on it and the solution is to get all sides working together to maximise the funding we get on that road.”

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.