Reduction in county road funding will leave many roads in disrepair
Due to the large reduction in the funding for roads allocation in Leitrim this year a number of roads in dire need of imporvement will only receive a basic repair in 2010.
Council members expressed grave disappointment at the decreased p8m figure for the roads allocation for the county this year. A number of roads were discussed at the meeting and proposed for improvement but many were turned down because Leitrim County Council do not have the resources available to them.
Cllr Enda Stenson requested that the R201 from the N4 Mohill receive "immediate repair and upgrading." He asked that "a programme of works be put in place that will, over the next 2-3 years, totally upgrade and leave this road in proper condition, safer for walkers Cyclists and Motorists alike."
Given the scale of the very necessary works involved, the council said substantial funding will be required and this will only be possible under Specific Improvement Scheme. There is no allocation for this road in 2010.
The priority areas on this road are Shoalmore, Laheenamona, Treanmore, and Curragh.
Funding is in place to address some of the issues at Shoalmore Cross under Low Cost Safety Improvements, and Treanmore Cross as part of the Restoration Improvement Scheme. The more substantial scheme at Laheenamona and Curragh will require Specific Improvement Allocations.
Cllr Paddy O'Rourke asked the council to proceed with the works which were agreed to be necessary along road LS 55241 late last year, as the situation has worsened over the winter.
The council replied, "While the works referred to are desirable and necessary it will not be possible to carry out these works this year because of the reduction in overall funding available for road project in 2010."
Cllr John McCartin requested that LT-55262 linking R-204-15 with LS-5526 at Toome Corrawallen, Carrigallen, be completed as it is "almost impassable and has caused a lot of damage to local traffic. It has left the residents on the road with nearly 2km round trip to get to the Newtowngore and Drumeela road which used to be only 100 meters."
Again the council responded saying, "Unfortunately, due to the reduction in road grants this year, It has not been possible to included this section of local secondary road on the programme for 2010. It will receive routine maintenance in due course."
Cllr Tony Ferguson, requested Director of Services, Infrastructure John McGuinness, to give details of the plans to widen the road from Kinlough Village to the Lakeside on the Rossinver Road. Mr McGuinnes said there is currently no funding available for road widening in this area. This project can be considered for an Specific Improvement Grant in the future when funding becomes available.
Ballinamore Cllr Gordon Hughes asked for a review of the entire bridge network in the county in particular the bridge at Lower Main Street, Ballinamore and at Kilbracken Bridge. He was told, “it must be pointed that no funding has been made available in 2010 for any work on bridges because of the reduction in over all roads funding."
Cllr Siobhan mcGloin asked the council to include the road from the Coast Road Tullaghan to the N15 known as the "Five Crossroads" in the improvement works for 2010. Although a Road Restoration Improvement grant will be carried on the Coastal Road, there is no funding allocated to the link road.
Finally Cllr Sean McGowan asked Michael Flynn, Senior Executive Engineer Carrick-on Shannon, to carry out immediate repairs to the Drumhirk road in Gortletteragh, “as it has fallen into a state of disrepair.” He was informed that “given the over all reduction in the Road allocation it is not possible to carry out any work, on this road, this year, other than routine maintenance.”
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Weather for Carrick-on-Shannon, Ireland
Sunday 05 February 2012
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