Road sweeper is 'not being utilised enough'

The Cathaoirleach of Ballina Municipal District has called on Mayo County Council to organise a schedule for the local road sweeper to include smaller towns in the district.

Cllr Jarlath Munnelly raised the matter at last week's meeting of the municipal district and was informed by district engineer Declan Ginnelly that the local sweeper undertakes scheduled street and road cleaning on a daily basis within the town centre and environs of Ballina. However, the sweeping of the smaller towns is only undertaken on a quarterly basis and on request for festivals, etc.

Cllr Munnelly responded: “That road sweeper is not being utilised enough. Just one person drives it and that in itself is crazy and there are periods it is not being utilised. I asked for it to sweep Killala and that didn’t happen. This time of year it should be out sweeping all the time. If it was, we would not have half the problems we get with the gulleys following heavy rain. In Killala, the gulleys are just stuffed now with leaves.” 

Ballina municipal engineer Orla Bourke told members that there was not just one driver available to operate the sweeper. She added: “However, we have had a lot of breakdowns. The machine is fully occupied in Ballina town. It was purchased by Ballina Town Council and is for the town. Maybe we need to look at getting a new one if there are problems with it and I am disappointed it did not sweep Killala when that was asked for.” 

Cllr Munnelly asked the council to look at getting a new sweeper altogether, which the area engineer said was an option but it would be a “big budget item”.