Coillte and council to work together to resolve roads damaged by forestry works
COILLTE and Mayo County Council engineers are to work together on plans to rectify roads damaged by forestry works.
Councillors had called the company to a meeting to voice their concerns about the level of damage done to roads around the county during the extraction of trees.
Following a lengthy debate, it was agreed that better communication would resolve a lot of the issues going forward.
Coillte has significant operations in Mayo. Business area unit leader Colm O'Dwyer explained how the company harvested 100,000 tons of timber in the county last year, with 40% of it being moved out of Mayo.
It also planted 400 hectares last year, and is managing 1,600 hectares of reforestation at any one time in Mayo.
Crossmolina-based Councillor Michael Loftus, in an online meeting, told the Coillte representatives there is a feeling that a bond needs to be put in place whereby the council could get recompense for repairs to roads.
He cited one road in his area where damage amounting to over €200,000 was done.
Another road in the Kilmeena area of Westport was also cited – work on two houses had to cease due to the poor condition of the road.
Councillor Michael Kilcoyne said he accepted sometimes roads will get damaged, but there had to be a deadline for repairs, and if not met a penalty should apply.
The use of taxpayers money to reinstate roads was not sustainable into the future, Councillor Damien Ryan stated.
Councillor Gerry Murray said he intended to press for legislation to deal with the issues raised. Forestry was an extraction industry and it required some legislation.
Councillor Martin McLoughlin proposed that Coillte notify the council in advance of harvesting works to agree the use of roads and adherence of that, with an examination after by council engineers so roads are not left in poor condition indefinitely.
In response, Mr. O'Dwyer said Coillte could fix gravel roads very quickly. Tarred roads presented a problem. Sanctions, he said, are imposed where hauliers breach conditions.
He agreed they could improve engagement pre-harvesting, and suggested the engineers look at the overall issues raised, which was welcomed by councillors as a 'very progressive step'.
The cathaoirleach, Councillor Richard Finn, highlighted how 90% of the country's forestry is in the west of Ireland. Yet, its HQ in the Department of Agriculture was down south. He suggested that be moved from Johnstown Castle up west.
On the question of imposing bonds, director of services Catherine McConnell clarified that the council can impose bonds only on developments that require planning permission. There are very few instances where forestry needs planning.
They were consultees on large-scale felling or planting and would be making their views known for bonds or financial contributions to be held for road repairs.