Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan T.D. today announced details of a €626 million investment programme for 2023 for regional and local roads.
This funding is allocated to a broad variety of road maintenance and improvement aspects across Laois and Offaly. In addition to the projects named there is additional funding allocated to road safety schemes and signage that target improved road safety for vulnerable road users and vehicular traffic.
Of this allocation, €15.5m will come to Co. Offaly representing an increase of over €600,000 on 2022 figures. It is vital for both the communities and economy of Offaly that our regional and local roads are maintained and strengthened, and all the more important now that we must adapt to climate change.
Climate change adaptation works funded this year in Offaly, include €100,000 for Flood Relief Measures at Snugboro, Daingean, €50,000 for Fahy, Rhode and €30,000 for Ballinowlart North, near Clonbullogue. I am glad to see a Specific Improvement grant of €100,000 for the Birr Distributor Northern Road and a further €50,000 for Birr Distributor Road Scheme which is important to facilitate development in that area.
Green Party Councillor for Edenderry, Mark Hackett added
“I am thrilled to see that safety improvement works at Walsh Island are included in this announcement to the tune of €100,000. Safety in the village is a serious matter which has been highlighted for all the wrong reasons in recent months and I raised the need for urgent intervention at Council level.”
He continued
“This is a strong funding announcement for North Offaly and I am glad to see that safety works are included on the Portarlington to Clonygowan road at Derreen and Portarlington to Geashill at Clonygowan. I am also happy to see funding for the Cloncreen Peat Road Reconstruction and Raheennakeernan, Walsh Island of €75,000 for each project.”
I was thrilled to see that €13.5m was also allocated to Co. Laois. I particularly welcome the funding for Safety Improvement works of €324,000 for 8 projects across Co. Laois; including 3 in Abbeyleix; at Crookedwood Cross and on the Ballyroan Road. I am aware of concerns regarding driver behaviour on the approach roads to Abbeyleix and welcome this coordinated approach. Others include Mountrath, Rosenallis and Ballacolla.
Climate change adaptation works funded this year in Laois include €120,000 for Tinweir, Durrow and €130,000 for Cloncanon, Mountmellick. I am glad to see a Specific Improvement Grant of €150,000 for Meelick Road and a total of €650,000 for rehabilitation works to R445 and R639 which were formally the N7 and N8 respectively.
These grants supplement local authorities’ own resources expenditure on regional and local road projects and does not represent the total investment in regional and local roads for this year.
For more see https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/2381e-626-million-for-regional-and-local-roads-announced/