Outrage at delays to €1.2m upgrade of south Mayo link road to motorway

South Mayo councillors have demanded that €1.2m in funding for the upgrade of a road linking the region to the M17 motorway is spent after doubts were raised that the work will go ahead this year.

Members of the Claremorris/Swinford Municipal District were left in disbelief at their monthly meeting after they were informed that much of the €1.2 million in funding allocated for the upgrade of the R332 from Kilmaine to Tuam may have to be returned to the Government exchequer.

The Department of Transport allocated the funding for the upgrade of the road at Foxhall close to the Galway border in February but councillors were informed that it will be close to the end of the year before a contractor is appointed.

Director of Services, Tom Gilligan explained that as a result it will be 'extremely challenging' to fully spend the €1.2 million before the end of the year.

“I accept there have been delays in relation to the Foxhall road and I apologise for that but the reality is we probably won't be able to appoint a contractor until the last quarter. I have to be honest it will be extremely challenging to spend that money between now and the end of the year,” he said.

READ: Popular local Mayo connections claim glory at Ballinrobe Races

The R332 has become a strategically important road in recent years as it provides a shortcut to the the M17 motorway in Tuam for many people in south Mayo.

Ballinrobe-based councillor Damien Ryan expressed frustration at the latest update and demanded that everything is done to ensure the money is spent on the road.

“As a public representative we can't and we won't put up with that,” he said in response to Mr Gilligan's update.

“Whatever we have to do we have to do because we have been long enough looking for money and I certainly want it spent. Not only do I want it spent, we need to be in a position to accept an allocation in 2026 to complete it. I said this consistently since last March when we got the money, whatever has to happen to get that money spent and the work underway should happen. It doesn't matter who has to be brought in. It is the only strategic road which got a grant in the county this year and I won't tolerate it [not being spent],” he said.

He was supported by Independent councillor Patsy O'Brien who said it would be a 'mortal sin' if money was sent back to the department and criticised the slow process in advancing these roadwork projects.

Mr Gilligan said that while funding was announced in February, the roadworks programme was not approved by Mayo County Council until the April council meeting. He added that there are 'processes and procedures' to go through in relation to appointing contractors but accepted there has been delays in the Foxhall project.

Cllr Ryan reiterated his demand that the money is spent as he claimed it will affect the allocation of further funding for the road in 2026.

“As a county councillor I will not stand over a scenario where one shilling of that has been put back. Whatever we need to do it has to move on. Whatever has to be assigned by way of resources we are not sending a shilling back. We are complaining we are not getting enough but by God there is no money going back. I don't want to be in a scenario where we will suffer next year from money because of our inability to spend it this year,” he said.