Killala works ‘gone beyond a joke’

A councillor has said that the length of time it is taking to carry out works in the centre of Killala has “gone beyond a joke”, writes Tomás Keating.

Fine Gael councillor Jarlath Munnelly told last week’s Ballina Muncipal District meeting that locals in Killala cannot believe how long it is taking.

“The town centre works are taking so long and it’s gone beyond a joke. People have stopped giving out to me about it, they just can’t understand how long it is taking. The money has been allocated for it, it would be just good to know when this is going to be finished.”

Cllr Munnelly made his comments after councillors received a presentation from Cathy Mellett, senior executive engineer with Mayo County Council, on Active Travel Plans for the municipal district.

“Businesses in Killala have put up with a lot this year,” Cllr Munnelly said. “There was chaos, to be frank about it, with the traffic disruptions, but people said, ‘Look, it’s going to be really nice when it’s finished so if we have put up with disruptions for one year, it’s fine’, but it’s September now. I can’t understand why it can’t get done.”

Ms Mellett revealed that the reason the works in Killala have taken so long is that labour and construction costs have increased.