Marine chief says emergency works on Roonagh Pier are 'progressing well'

Mayo Co Council's Head of Marine has said works on Roonagh Pier in West Mayo are progressing well. 

Michael O'Boyle told the June meeting of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District that the plan for emergency works at the pier is in hand and the council hopes to have a contractor on site in August or September. The work on this will tie in with a bigger project for the pier. 

Mr O'Boyle explained that approval from the Department of the Marine in relation to traffic management at the pier is awaited, and ultimately, the goal is to have “a very good roll-on roll-off slipway". He added that he wished to thank both ferry operators from Roonagh to the islands, the O’Gradys and the O’Malleys, who have been so cooperative with the project. 

Several councillors questioned Mr O'Boyle in relation to numerous other piers needing attention around the Mayo coast as well as on the islands, as they sought news on funding and repairs. Providing an update on a number of these, Mr O’Boyle said the council has a target to clean all the slipways five times a year and was on target with that, although it was a huge operational challenge. He added: “There is over 80 pieces of infrastructure in the county under our remit, and not all of these are in good condition, and many are old piers. We have not had a major investment in piers and harbours in the county in 20 years I think, so there is only so much a team within a local authority can do without having support at national level, and we just have to try and be patient with the Government to see how these funding streams evolve.”

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.