Rising costs may impact roadworks

Rising costs for construction materials has prompted a local councillor to question whether the Roadworks Programme promised for Westport-Belmullet Municipal District will go ahead as planned.

The matter was raised by Fine Gael Cllr Gerry Coyle at the April meeting of the forum, with Independent Ireland Cllr Chris Maxwell also pointing out: “There is a scheme to help all contractors with roadworks coming in in a few weeks. We do not want to see any schemes for this year put back. 

"We need to progress this year’s programme and this is not the time to stop. We have to be brave, go and borrow an extra couple of million if necessary.” 

Area engineer Heather Gibbons assured councillors that tenders for the scheduled roadworks programme had been received by Mayo County Council, adding: “We will assess these and will know then where we stand.”

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.