The Belmullet Electoral Area committee meeting was informed this week that paving works are to commence next week in Newport, with traffic diversions to be put in place around the town.
In relation to the ongoing flooding of the town, committee members were told the OPW has given a grant for €180,000, however this amount is a huge shortfall from the €700,000 needed to rectify the problem.
Director of services Joe Beirne said it was hoped that work could commence on a phase basis, with the OPW willing to provide additional funding in the future. However he added that he did not think the shortfall of funding would be found by the council.
Councillor Michael McNamara urged that the €180,000 should be spent, otherwise it would go back in limbo. Mr Beirne said that the money could be spent “but it will not solve the problem.”
