Seaweed made peninsula access road in north Mayo impassable

SEAWEED thrown up over the sea wall made the main road to the Erris Peninsula impassable.

It is going to be an ongoing occurrence, Councillor Sean Carey has warned, with the Bundoola sea wall repairs not completed.

The wall has been in a bad state for the last two and a half years. A contractor was appointed for the repair works and he wanted to know when they will start.

He had received calls one recent Saturday morning where seaweed had come across the wall, making the road impassable.

This was the main artery to the peninsula, which has many visitors on it going to Blacksod Lighthouse.

Then there were the people living locally who are afraid they are going to be flooded out.

It is important, said Councillor Carey, that the works commence.

Director of services Tom Gilligan explained that a number of works are taking place off site.

There was insufficient money in the 2021 budget to finish the project and extra funding will be sought next year.

He would follow up with a completion date.

Councillor Coyle said they had the impression there was enough money to do the wall this year; that the council would put up the rest until next year on the strength of it coming in from the department.

He was disappointed.