Forestry companies destroying local roads - Mellett

Forestry companies destroying local roads - Mellett


Kevin Moran

SWINFORD-based Cllr Joe Mellett has called on Mayo County Council to make forestry companies aware of their obligations to the public road network.
The last number of weeks have been a busy time for forestry companies around the county which have commenced felling on the matured trees.
The companies have also been building their own roads through the forests, but have raised concern among councillors in Swinford after a significant amount of road damage.
Speaking to The Mayo News, Cllr Mellett spoke of the damage that has occured: “Over the years when felling occurs, huge damage has been caused to the local roads because the large trucks that haul the timber out are doing irreparable damage to the roads.”
“Generally the forestry companies go away and leave the roads for the council to repair again and these are roads that the council may only have recently repaired,” he added.
Mr Mellett believes now is an opportune time for the council to write to forestry companies like Coillte and Green Belt.
Speaking at a meeting of the Swinford Electoral Area Committee, Cllr Gerry Murray said he hoped that it would be part of the new county development plan to let forestry companies aware of their public duties.
Cllr Mellett called for immediate action from the council because the county development plan will not be in place for 12 months and the fact that the trees are being harvested this summer.