Campaign for another Mayo NCT centre continues despite RSA setback

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has shot down calls for a NCT centre to be opened in Belmulle forcing people in Erris having to travel to distant locations such as Ballina, Sligo, or Westport for their NCT tests.

The RSA stated that the current NCT network meets its national service standard, which requires that each test centre be located within 50 kilometres of 90 percent of vehicle owners. Based on demographic and population analysis conducted at the outset of the current NCTS contract, the RSA did not identify a need for an additional centre in the Belmullet area.

The rejection of the proposal comes following ongoing local advocacy led by Michael Conroy and supported by the Erris Chamber of Commerce.

Minister of State Alan Dillon has raised the matter with the safety regulator and has confirmed receipt of formal correspondence from them on the proposal to establish a National Car Testing (NCT) centre in Belmullet.

In light of the RSA’s dismissal of the case for a NCT centre in Belmullet, Minister Dillon has pledged to continue advocating for improved access to NCT services in North Mayo.

“I appreciate the RSA's response, but I remain concerned about the significant travel distances and long appointment wait times faced by residents and businesses in the Erris region,” said Minister Dillon. “I will be raising this issue directly with both Minister Darragh O'Brien and Minister of State Seán Canney in the Department of Transport.”

The current NCTS contract is due for renewal in 2030, at which point the RSA will again review the location and number of test centres nationwide. Minister Dillon has committed to ensuring that Belmullet is actively considered during that review process.

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"I will continue to press this matter and work with local stakeholders to build a strong case for Belmullet's inclusion in future planning,” he added.

For Michael Conroy, however, waiting until 2030 is unacceptable. “We can't wait five or seven years for our test centre here again,” he said. “This is just Belmullet being forgotten about again.”

Petition to be launched

Michael Conroy of Michael Conroy Motors in Belmullet plans to launch a petition calling for the return of an NCT test centre to the town, arguing that the community is being left behind as residents face lengthy journeys for vehicle testing.

Speaking about the impact on his own business, Conroy revealed the financial toll of the centre's absence. “We sold over 200 cars last year, and to transport those to get them tested, paying for fuel and drivers, costs about €35,000,” he said. “If it was in Belmullet, that's €35,000 saved straight away.”

The garage owner also questioned the statistics used to justify the closure, suggesting that residents in the Belmullet area were never properly consulted.

Conroy argues that the NCT centre closure is symptomatic of a broader problem facing the community. He pointed to several examples of what he sees as the town being overlooked, including changes to postal delivery services and the state of local infrastructure.

“There's 13 vans in the area that now have to go to Ballina to pick up post that used to be distributed from Belmullet,” he explained. “We're going backwards, not forwards.”

He also highlighted the deteriorating condition of the main Belmullet to Castlebar road, which ambulances must use daily. “If you like rally driving, that's what it's for. It's probably one of the worst roads in Ireland, and our main ambulance has to go up and down that road every day of the week. It's an absolute disgrace.”

Conroy is now planning on gathering signatures for a petition demanding the return of the NCT centre. “We can't wait five or seven years for our test centre here again,” he said. “This is just Belmullet being forgotten about again.”

Conroy remains determined to make the case that the facility is needed in the community.

“They're saying the ones in Ballina, Sligo, and Westport are okay, let them go there. But it's not a matter of that – it's about looking at this properly and seeing what can be done for our community.”