30% Drop In Funding For North Tipperary National Roads

Severe weather affects North Tipperary road surfaces

In respect of funding for the North Tipperary National Roads Programme the Government has allocated €2,952,197 for the constituency in 2011 in comparison to €4,216,200 last year. This represents a 30% drop in funding over last years allocation.

Local Fine Gael Deputy Noel Coonan has expressed deep disappointment with North Tipperary’s allocation of funding under the National Roads Programme 2011 which is €1.2million less than last year’s amount and one of the lowest allocations given to any local authority in the country.

“We have many major national roads in the North Tipperary/South Offaly constituency including the N62 and N52 for example and these routes carry very heavy volumes of traffic on a daily basis. These same roads require regular maintenance and improvements, but I fear our roadways will be neglected again this year due to a severe drop in Government funding.This amount is simply insufficient and will create enormous pressure for North Tipperary County Council, who will be striving to maintain the same high level of maintenance and restoration on a much tighter budget. The Council is already operating on a shoe string budget as it deals with ravaged roads devastated by severe weather conditions throughout this winter.Out of all the 33 local authorities nationally, North Tipperary County Council received the fourth lowest level of funding. The only other authorities nationally to fare worse were Waterford City Council, Carlow County Council and Dublin City Council. Local Deputies have been announcing and welcoming this funding, saying numerous sections of roadways and schemes will benefit. While it is good news that the Congar/Ballyluskey realignment project for example will receive funding; the sharp drop in the level of funding cannot be ignored and is not to be welcomed. ” stated Deputy Coonan.

The Fine Gael Deputy said projects to benefit under the funding include safety improvements at Church Street, Templemore and Sheehane in Roscrea. Works will also take place on the Thurles Bypass scheme. Pavement and minor works will occur in Borrisokane, Kilkillhara, Ardcroney and Two-Mile-Borris. The Congar / Ballyluskey realignment project will also be advanced.

Deputy Coonan said that he will continue to push for the progression of these projects for the betterment of the constituency.