Wet weather and inflation mean more money is needed for roadworks, says councillor

There are fears that Mayo County Council will not have enough money to carry out its road works programme effectively.

At last week's meeting of the council, Fine Gael Cllr Jarlath Munnelly asked management to write to the Department of Transport seeking additional funding for local roads in Mayo for 2024. 

The Killala-based councillor claimed that it was very obvious to him there was simply not enough money allocated for repair works, considering the increased material and labour costs since this time last year, and owing to the very wet winter and spring weather.

“We have been talking about the roads programme in Ballina, and there was an announcement of funding for Mayo," he said. "The amount is the same as last year – so that’s basically a cut, when you consider how costs are increasing, both for materials and labour. In addition, we had an extremely wet winter, and many local roads are in bad condition as a result of this. 

"We have many roads in my area that urgently need work. I am asking that Mayo County Council write to the Department and the Minister – today - seeking additional funding on these two counts. If we received another allocation of funds now, we would certainly be in a position to get this work done this year, as the council's roads programme has not been finalised yet."

Cllr Munnelly said additional funding was granted to the council last year, adding there was no point in giving extra money for roads at the end of the year.