Almost €2 million funding for Mayo roads damaged by weather

Funding of almost €2 million has been assigned for regional and local roads in county Mayo damaged by persistent rainfall over the winter and spring months. 

The funding was announced today by Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan, and Minister of State Jack Chambers.

The funding comes as a way to deal with the impact of climate change, which has contributed to a deterioration in the surface quality of certain parts of the network over the winter months.

Minister Dara Calleary TD was ‘delighted’ with the news.

“We need to keep our roads safe. This emergency investment will give Mayo County Council the funds necessary to repair potholes and other damage on our roads caused by the extremely heavy rainfall over the winter and spring months,” he said.

He added: "These funds will significantly improve the worst impacted areas of the road network."

In line with the Government’s commitment to support local authorities in the maintenance and renewal of road networks, this emergency investment will assist in addressing the worst impacted areas of the road network. In persistent wet conditions, water seepage contributes to damage such as the development of potholes or pavement collapse. 

Minister of State, Alan Dillon TD also welcomed the funding, which he explained is in addition to the €36.6 million allocated to Mayo County Council in February for ‘the protection and renewal of our existing regional and local road network’.

“Keeping our road network safe is a priority. Climate change, like the prolonged rain we saw this winter and spring, has a damaging impact on our road surfaces which has to be addressed quickly so that it does not lead to further deterioration,” he concluded.