More funding needed to fix Tipperary's weather-worn roads

Councillors at last week’s sitting of Tipperary County Council have called for more funding for roads after ten months of “biblical” rain.

They acknowledged that the council have been doing good work on roads, but that weather conditions have undermined that progress.

That, coupled with the rising cost of materials, means that the funding they do receive does not go as far as it did in previous years.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Ger Darcy said this was essential for the agricultural sector in particular.

“Rural Ireland cannot function without good roads,” said Cllr Darcy.

Cllr Michael O’Meara said the issue is climate change and suggested there may be scope for environmental funding.

Cllr Michael Fitzgerald said that he recently spoke to his local roads engineer who said the previous year’s funding just doesn’t stretch to all the roads that need fixing.

Cllr Rocky McGrath said that it is not just the weather to blame. He said Coilte trucks are active on the roads “24 hours a day” particularly in the Rearcross area.

He said their activity not only damages roads but obstructs local use.

Cllr McGrath suggested that Coilte pay to maintain the roads.

“They have to come on board and give you some help… compensate you in some way,” said Cllr McGrath.

Director of Roads, Liam Brett, agreed that the funding does not go far enough.

He said it is year-to-year “static.”

Accounting for inflation, there is less money for use on the roads.

N62 Offaly border

Cllr Shane Lee said that the N62 bordering on Offaly is “deteriorating at a rapid pace.” He said there have been lots of accidents on the road and asked that the N62 be prioritised.

“We are calling on the TII to be more kind and generous with the fund for that road, said Cllr Lee.

A council official from the section of the road said the N62 was on the three-year roads programme.

Works were due to begin on the N62 in 2026.

CIS Schemes

Cllr Mairin McGrath said she understands the council has been allocated €804,000 for the Community Involvement Scheme.

She asked how many applications had been made to the scheme and how much would it cost to approve them all.

She said the council should not have to rely on the “generosity” of landowners to fix the roads.

Mr Brett said they received the same allocation of funds under the CIS scheme this year as in 2023.

He said he was not sure how many applications there have been this yearbut that it would cost in the region of €9 million to fix every road in need.