Funding deficiency raises alarm over road safety investment in Mayo

An elected member of Castlebar Municipal District has called on the council to increase road funding to improve safety for motorists and pedestrians in the county as Fianna Fáil Minister Jack Chambers looks to reduce speed limits in the wake of rising road deaths.

Fianna Fáil Councillor Martin McLoughlin is demanding heightened funding for roads maintenance in Mayo.

This plea comes amidst concerns over road safety, with the Transport Minister proposing reductions in speed limits on roads across Ireland.

Councillor McLoughlin stressed the necessity of parallel initiatives addressing both speed limit alterations and comprehensive road maintenance.

"Prioritising road safety means prioritising road maintenance," he asserted.

Expressing apprehension over the escalating number of road fatalities, he highlighted the indispensable role of well-kept roads in preserving lives.

While commending the Transport Minister's proactive stance, the councillor underscored the importance of increased funding for Mayo County Council to ensure effective road maintenance.

He remarked: “The quality of some of our roads is the elephant in the room when it comes to road safety."

Figures disclosed to The Connaught Telegraph indicate a shortfall in council expenditure on road maintenance in 2023 compared to the previous year. In 2022, the county was allocated a total of €92,829,793 for national roads.

However, this figure plummeted to €65,300,929 in 2023, signifying a substantial decrease in the financial resources allocated for road upkeep. When factoring in regional and local roads, the overall spending shortfall in Mayo amounts to a substantial £26,317,941.

This disparity raises questions about the county's ability to adequately maintain its roads, particularly against the backdrop of the nationwide drive for reduced speed limits.

The Road Traffic Bill 2023, sanctioned by the Cabinet in December and led by Minister Jack Chambers, seeks to address road safety concerns through modifications to speed limits.

Proposed adjustments include reducing the default speed limit on national secondary roads from 100km/h to 80km/h, rural or local roads from 80km/h to 60km/h, and roads in built-up areas from 50km/h to 30km/h.

Minister Chambers defended these changes, asserting that maintaining higher speed limits on certain roads is unsafe and inappropriate.

He emphasised the need to tailor speed limits to road conditions and granted local authorities the flexibility to retain higher speed limits on roads deemed safe.