Drogheda Fianna Fáil Councillor James Byrne says he is delighted that an additional €472,000 has been allocated to Louth County Council to protect and improve local and regional roads.
“I invited Minister Jack Chambers to Drogheda last month to discuss the state of our roads with my colleague Senator Erin McGreehan and request more funding” Byrne said.
“This emergency investment will significantly improve the worst impacted areas of the road network caused by the extremely heavy rainfall over the winter and spring months.”
The €472,000 for County Louth was part of €30 million national package announced by the Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan and Minister of State Jack Chambers to deal specifically with the impact of climate change, which has contributed to a deterioration in the surface quality of certain parts of the network over the winter months.
Announcing the funding, Minister Ryan said: “Keeping our road network safe is a priority for me and this Government. Climate change, like the prolonged rain we saw this past winter and spring, has a damaging impact on our road surfaces which has to be addressed quickly so that it does not lead to further deterioration.
“Through this additional funding Local Authorities can begin to restore the impacted Regional and Local Road network along with building resilience into the network in an ever-changing environment.”
Minister Chambers added: “This investment in protecting and improving the existing road network is fundamental for road safety, and for connecting people and places across the country. Our network facilitates business, education, tourism, healthcare, agriculture and the provision of critical services and activities. Prompt restoration of the impacted road network is essential from a safety perspective as well as maintaining key social and economic connections.”
Dundalk based Fianna Fáil Senator Erin McGreehan said she too was delighted to receive confirmation from my party colleague Minister Jack Chambers that €472,000 has been allocated for regional and local roads in Co Louth.
“We need to keep our roads safe. This emergency investment will give Louth County Council the funds necessary to repair potholes and other damage on our roads caused by the extremely heavy rainfall over the winter and spring months.
“In persistent wet conditions, water seepage contributes to damage such as the development of potholes or pavement collapse. These funds will significantly improve the worst impacted areas of the road network.”
