There was a fracturing of opinions amongst councillors on the next steps to take in relation to the reduction of speed limits in Breaffy, at the January meeting of the Castlebar Municipal District.
The issue was debated on foot of a motion put forward by Independent councillor Michael Kilcoyne, in which sympathy was offered to the family of the late David Henning, who lost his life in a recent crash on the road, and which also called on Transport Infrastructure Ireland to implement a 60km speed limit in the area.
Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Kilcoyne said: "I have no doubt if a part eight comes before the council with 80km per hour on it, it will be turned down flat."
Supporting him, Fianna Fáil councillor Blackie Gavin added: "I support the motion of Cllr Kilcoyne. It is past time to put this issue to bed. TII are very slow to deal with the speed limit.
"We were promised, nearly six years ago when we protested and fought hard to have 60km in Bohola, an assurance was given that not too long after Bohola was done, Breaffy would be done next and the 60km put in place.
"According to the report, the part eight is to come before this council at the end of quarter one; when that comes before us, if there is an 80km proposed, we will turn it down; it’s just ridiculous and needs to be sorted."
Cllr Kilcoyne added: "There is also a blockage in the senior level of Mayo County Council, it is not being given the push that it should be given."
Fine Gael councillor Cyril Burke told the meeting: "We’re years at this, we all went to a public meeting in Breaffy. When the proposal came, we rejected the 80km. Subsequent to that, this proposal came and we agreed to let it back to the people and let them discuss it with the engineers and TII; we have yet to hear that proposal."
Repsonding, Cllr Kilcoyne said: "Its the 80km that’s coming", to which Cllr Burke replied: "We don’t know, you might know - I don’t want to comment any further until I see it. A lot of communication has been going on with the people out there and TII. I want to see a map and a drawing and what will be in place, before I make a decision; hopefully it will be acceptable to the people in Breaffy."
Fianna Fáil councillor Al McDonnell added: "There appears to be a 60km limit at certain times of the day, I want to know what is true or not."
Fine Gael councillor Ger Deere and Cathaoirleach of the district, Fianna Fáil Cllr Martin McLoughlin, both said it was their understanding that the people were happy with what is being proposed, but they wanted more clarity on it.
It was suggested by the senior roads engineer for the council, Ann Sweeney, that the councillors hold a workshop with the road design team and questions could be asked and answered on it. Cllr Kilcoyne responded that he wanted it to be debated in public. Cathaoirleach McLoughlin requested that full information be ready for the councillors for their next meeting in February.
