€2m cut in roads maintenance

CLARE’S roads are far better than they once were but much of the progress is in danger of being lost due to swingeing cuts – around 40% over five years – in funding, that was the message at this week’s meeting of the county council.
Sixmilebridge Councillor PJ Ryan asked the council how they propose to carry out the same level of maintenance on our secondary and primary roads in the county due to the big reductions in the NRA and Department of Transport Tourist and Sport road allocations.
In her reply, Transportation director of services, Anne Haugh, said the county’s roads can’t be fully maintained with the level of funding currently being received.
“Reduced levels of funding means reduced levels of response to maintenance and restoration needs. In general, funding levels have reduced by well over 40% since 2008 and this is unsustainable – particularly when one considers the extent of the investment put into the network during the Celtic Tiger era. Unless the funding trend, which has been dominant over the last five years or so is reversed, the cost of correcting the evolving deterioration will be several times greater than the funding reductions that we are experiencing at present.”
She said that the details of this year’s programme will be presented to the members of the local authority next month.
Councillor Ryan said the report confirmed his worst fears and that 40% was a huge reduction to have been faced with. “Roads are in a serious condition due to the adverse weather,” he commented.
He said the reduction would amount to €2m and that the effects on the county’s roads will be serious. Councillor Ryan said the Council needs to speak to Clare’s Oireachtas members to try and ameliorate the situation.