Mayo councillor angry at absence of Crossmolina to Ballycastle road in gritting programme

A NORTH Mayo councillor has called on Mayo County Council to buy a new gritting lorry to ensure that a 22km of road between Crossmolina and Ballycastle is gritted this winter.

Crossmolina-based councillor Michael Loftus lashed out at the management of Mayo County Council after they confirmed that the 22km long R315 linking Crossmolina to Ballycastle will not be included in this winter's Winter Maintenance Service Plan.

The Winter Maintenance Service Plan prioritises the roads which are salted and gritted during freezing weather and the R315 has never been included.

Cllr Loftus told the monthly meeting of Mayo County Council that last winter a number of vehicles jackknifed on parts of the road during freezing weather. He said he 'kicked-up' about the issue earlier in the year with the hope that it would be included in this winter's plan and was 'fed-up' to see it wasn't.

The Fianna Fáil councillor told Mayo County Council to do what they had to do to ensure the road is gritted this winter. 

“I requested the Crossmolina to Ballycastle road to be gritted and I was told that they don't have the money to do it. As far as I am concerned this winter plan is not good enough,” he told the meeting.

“I have 22km of a road that needs doing and in the next ten to 15 days we are going to have frost on the roads. I am now saying there are [council] staff members here in Castlebar and nurses in the hospital who will not get to work. It is really important.

“I am not going to accept no answer. I want an answer in relation to it. It is so important to those people to be able to get to work. It is the one road that can be done but there is no interest in doing it. It has to be done and I am quite annoyed.

“There were five lorries jackknifed on that road last winter which stopped all the traffic on that road. For God's sake it is 22km... if there is going to be a cost to get another lorry then get a bloody lorry. If we cannot afford to do it then there is something wrong with this county. I want that road done this winter and I am not accepting anything but it is done,” he said.

He was supported by Ballina-based councillor Annie May Reape who said the road is busy and needs to be treated.

However, Tom Gilligan, Director of Services with responsibility for roads, told Cllr Loftus that it was not to be included and 'you have got your answer'. The response angered the councillor even further who described the response as 'rubbish'.

“To be honest with you, that is an answer of rubbish. That section road has never been done or never been considered and it is not good enough of an answer. I don't often get mad but I am really mad about this. Look it, 22km of a section of road needs to be done and I want it to be done.”