Independent Councillor Declan Power has raised concerns over funding allocations for road improvement initiatives, specifically criticising programmes such as the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) and the Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) for their handling of limited funds.

Cllr. Power addressed the issue at a recent Borough Council meeting, expressing frustration that the Lea Cottages lane in Clogherhead did not receive any financial support for resurfacing this year.

"It's deeply disappointing that no funding was allocated for the Lea Cottages lane," said Cllr. Power. "This isn’t just a road for local residents; it serves as an important amenity for tourists and the community, connecting four mobile home sites and leading to our beautiful Blue Flag beach. Many locals use it for leisure walking to support their mental and physical health, and its condition impacts everyone."

Working alongside the Clogherhead Development Group, Cllr. Power helped prepare the funding application over a year ago. He noted, "We measured every inch of this lane, gathered the cost estimates, and raised 5% of the €50,000 total cost ourselves. Normally, we would see up to three lanes approved for resurfacing at this time of year, but this year, only one lane made the list. I would have accepted a partial resurfacing for the most damaged sections, but we were overlooked entirely."

Cllr. Power also raised concerns about the safety implications of the lane’s current state, especially as the days grow shorter. "With the clocks going back and darker evenings, there’s a real risk of injury for those who walk here, including vehicle damage. Recently, a wheelchair-bound resident experienced a serious fall, resulting in injury and distress. This community deserves better."

He has urged the council to explore alternative funding sources to make this resurfacing a priority as a tourism initiative. "It’s clear we can’t depend on existing schemes, which are hard-fought and often leave communities like ours waiting. In another year, the lane will only deteriorate further, and we may see no solutions, just the occasional patchwork fix."