Extensive flooding last weekend highlights the need for major works on the R312 and for emergency funding for drainage works connecting Erris to Castlebar according to Sinn Féin General Election candidate Rose Conway-Walsh.
Cllr Conway-Walsh said: “The fact that the R312 had to be closed presents an extremely serious situation. This is the main and quickest route connecting the Erris to Mayo General Hospital. An extra 30 to 40 minutes added on to an ambulance journey could mean a life or death situation. I hope this will focus the minds of those who have failed to allocate funding for the major works that need to be done for many years now.
“Earlier this year I highlighted the fact that €100 million had been stripped from the local and regional roads budget of Mayo County Council since 2007. The inability of the roads in Mayo to absorb this huge cut is now evident in that many of these roads are now not fit for purpose. I am calling on the Government to give back this money that has been taken from the people of Mayo.
“In addition to the emergency funding being make available the Fisheries Board and the OPW need to take immediate action to deepen the riverbeds of the rivers that continue to flood. They need to listen to local people who know what needs to be done and the most cost-efficient way to get jobs done. As well as businesses and homes being badly affected by their inaction, farmers are having an atrocious time losing livestock, fencing, and having their land destroyed over and over again.
“I want to commend the emergency services and the council workers who did trojan work over the weekend to ensure people's safety. Surely, this reinforces the need to retain and recruit outdoor council workers," she concluded.
