Council greet €8m roads allocation with "disappointment"
The recent roads allocation of €8,316,699 was greeted with major disappointment by members of Leitrim County Council this month.
Members voted to adopt the Roads Work Scheme 2010 despite the drop of over €600,000 in the roads allocation from last year, because they felt work needed to be started on the county's roads.
Cllr Enda McGloin proposed that the council appeal the figure to the Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey as the council had no money left for improvement grants.
Cllr Enda Stenson said he was very "disappointed" with the figure. He said it was sad to see the Local Improvements Scheme Grants almost wiped out and said the council should appeal the figure to the Department.
The Local Improvements Scheme Grants (LIS) allows improvement to non-public roads, improving access for people in isolated and depopulated areas. Cllr Frank Dolan said the LIS allocation was "essential in Leitrim."
Cllr Martin Kenny said following two months of snow, ice and flood they were hoping for extra money in the roads allocation and instead they got less than last year.
"This is not good enough, we have bail outs for banks, but no rural roads - that people use everyday. The Minster should be made aware that this is not acceptable. We cannot deliver the same services on less money."
Cllr Gerry Reynolds said the fact that the council got no compensation for the snow and flood damage could result in job losses at the end of the year in the council. He said the county was moving back to the 80s instead of moving forward.
Cllr Sean McGowan said he felt the improvement of Rooskey Bridge should have been included in the roads allocation, he said it is disappointing that it was not.
Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council, Thomas Mulligan said the reduction was an "abhorrence."
John McTernan commented that the council will only be able to "fill pot holes and fix patches" with that money. He suggested they "shout very loud and explain our unique problems."
Director of Services John McGuinness said the improvements grant has been "steadily going down" and although the council propose allocations of money to projects in the county they are not followed through.
He said the cost of Rooskey Bridge would be p700,000 and would need to be completed over three years. He said it was impossible to start it this year. Mr McGuinness concluded, "there is no indication that the grant will be any better next year."
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Weather for Carrick-on-Shannon, Ireland
Thursday 17 May 2012
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