North Mayo windfarm rates should fund road gritting claim councillors

Councillors in north Mayo have called for funding from rates raised from wind farms in the Ballina region to be used to grit roads which are not included in the Winter Services Plan.

There was annoyance among some councillors in the Ballina Municipal District regarding roads in the region which went untreated during recent cold spells.

Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Loftus raised the matter at the monthly meeting where he expressed his frustration that the R315 road from Crossmolina to Ballycastle was not included in the Winter Services Plan despite his repeated calls.

He commented that he was told there was no funding to do it but suggested that rates from new wind farms in the region should be used to finance the gritting of more roads in the region.

“I was told there is no funding to do that road and told that by Kevin Kelly [Mayo County Council Chief Executive]. He is always saying to us to show him the money and show where he can get the money to do it.

“Recently 19 turbines have been approved in the Ballycastle area and the council is going to get €570,000 in funding from that from rates. I don't know why that can't be used for gritting that particular road.

“There should be no excuse next year for that road not to be gritted and I want to make sure we have that road done and it's on the list next year. There is 21km of roadway and the people using it have been neglected badly by this council and it needs addressing,” he said.

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The Winter Service Plan for 2025/26 involves the treatment of 1,100 km of roads across 21 treatment routes which equates to 100 percent of the National primary network, 100 percent of the national secondary network, 82 percent of regional roads and just 3 percent of the local road network. 

Bonniconlon-based councillor John O'Hara supported Cllr Loftus' suggestion and commented that the Church Road outside Ballina was like a 'bottle' due to ice and felt it should be included in the Winter Services Plan.

“That is a road used all the time and it is like a bottle. It is up about 12 feet from the level of the land and should be gritted.

“For the people to travel on it, it is like a skating rink and I get numerous calls from people. It is deadly and is the first road to get slippery and the last to get salt and only gets it [salt] if every road is done. I don't think it's fair because it is a strategic road for Ballina.

“With all the money coming out of north Mayo from windmills and some of that money should be diverted into that road. I am asking for it to be approved for next year. It is one of those roads where you are getting phone calls at four in the morning from people and it is unfair and it needs to be done,” he said.

Senior engineer, Orla Bourke replied that the treatment of roads is the responsibility of the roads section of the council and that they use the gritting programme at capacity. She said the municipal district will deal with minor issues but there was 'no question of including an entire road' but will send the request to the roads section.