Concerns were expressed by councillors about the delay in constructing a much-needed sea wall in Erris.

Last February, €1m of funding was secured to construct a sea wall at Bunduala, Belmullet. The wall will run along the R313, and will replace the wall that was built a hundred years ago to protect the people living and travelling along the coast road.

At a meeting of the Westport-Belmullet municipal district yesterday, Belmullet-based Fianna Fáil councillor Sean Carey expressed concerns after Mayo County Council senior executive engineer Kieran Lynn revealed that the project may not be completed until next year because of difficulties with the supply of materials.

Mr Lynn said the council hoped to have 75% of the project completed by the end of this year and would complete it at the beginning of 2023.

“It’s very disappointing that it may not be finished by the end of 2022,” said Mr Carey.

“It’s dragging on a few years now and last year we thought it would be started last year.

“I request that every effort be made to get it completed by the end of this year. The money is allocated, I can’t see why it shouldn’t be done.”

Fine Gael councillor Gerry Coyle said he was concerned the work would become more costly over time.

Mr Lynn said the council want to ensure that the project was completed to a high standard.