€472K extra for Louth roads damaged by excessive rainfall
Additional funding for roads following extremely wet months
€472,000 in additional funding has been allocated for regional and local roads in Louth, damaged by persistent rainfall over the winter and spring months, it was announced today by Ministers Eamon Ryan and Jack Chambers.
It is part of a national package of €30 million in emergency funds to deal specifically with the impact of climate change, which has contributed to a deterioration in the surface quality of certain parts of the roads network.
Announcing the funding, Minister Ryan said: "Climate change, like the prolonged rain we saw this winter and spring, has a damaging impact on our road surfaces which has to be addressed quickly so that it does not lead to further deterioration.
"Through this additional funding Local Authorities can begin to restore the impacted Regional and Local Road network along with building resilience into the network in an ever-changing environment.”
Minister Chambers added: “This investment in protecting and improving the existing road network is fundamental for road safety, and for connecting people and places across the country.
"Our network facilitates business, education, tourism, healthcare, agriculture and the provision of critical services and activities. Prompt restoration of the impacted road network is essential from a safety perspective as well as maintaining key social and economic connections.”
News of the funding was welcomed by Cllr Andrea McKevitt. Cllr McKevitt, who is running in the Dundalk-Carlingford LEA on June 7, said: "I’m delighted to receive confirmation from Fianna Fáil Minister Jack Chambers that €472,000 has been allocated for regional and local roads in Co Louth.
“We need to keep our roads safe. This emergency investment will give Louth County Council the funds necessary to repair potholes and other damage on our roads caused by the extremely heavy rainfall over the winter and spring months.
“In persistent wet conditions, water seepage contributes to damage such as the development of potholes or pavement collapse. These funds will significantly improve the worst impacted areas of the road network."