€600,000 in funding to assist the repair of regional and local roads in Kildare
€79,591 for upgrade of Kildare roads under the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS)
Kildare South TD and Chairman of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party has welcomed the allocation of €600,000 in funding to assist the repair of regional and local roads in Kildare. And a further €79,591 for the upgrade of Kildare roads.
Deputy Martin Heydon said: “Many of the regional and local roads in Kildare have suffered significant damage as a result of severe weather events and in some cases Kildare County Council has been faced with damage caused by repeated severe weather incidents.
“I welcome the additional funding support of €600,000 for Kildare County Council in recognition of the additional cost those repairs to regional and local roads cost them during the year and to fund further local road improvements in Kildare.
“Extreme weather events over the last year, such as Storm Eleanor, Storm Emma, flooding incidents and the summer drought have had a major impact on the regional and local road network.
“These events combined with the extended period of reduced funding for road maintenance following the economic downturn have left the road network much more vulnerable to damage.
“I know this funding will greatly assist in the repairs and ensure our road network in Kildare is of the highest standard.
“In addition, I welcome the announcement by my colleague the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring TD that Kildare is to receive €79,591 under the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS).
“This funding is for the improvement of small roads and laneways in rural parts of Kildare that are not under the normal maintenance of Kildare County Council. It is used to carry out improvement works on private and non-publicly maintained roads. Often these roads lead to multiple residences, parcels of land that support agricultural activity or to amenities such as lakes, rivers or beaches.
“As a result, the road improvements carried out under this scheme make a huge difference for people living in rural areas accessing their homes and farms, and it is also used to improve local amenities such as graveyards and beaches for the benefit of the whole community as well as visitors.
Kildare County Council is responsible for identifying and prioritising roads for improvement works under the scheme.”
“These grants are to supplement local authorities’ own resources and expenditure on regional and local road and are just part of the total investment in regional and local roads for this year.” Deputy Heydon concluded.