Tipperary forestry under fire again over road damage

Tipperary councillors have called for extra funding from the Local Improvement Scheme and a contribution for road repairs from Coilte.

Cllr Sean Ryan raised the issue at this week’s sitting of Tipperary County Council. He said there has been a ‘huge increase’ in demand, and they could not get through all of the applications.

“We are only get a handful done a year, and we are giving people false hope,” said Cllr Ryan.

The LIS scheme provides funding to local authorities to carry out improvement works on private and non-publicly maintained roads. Tipperay was allocated €740,000 in LIS funding in February 2023.

Cllr Ryan’s concerns were supported by several members, including Cllr Ger Darcy, who said “extra funding would go a long way.”

He said trucks are causing damage to the roads, and this will continue to be a problem. Fellow Nenagh councillor Rocky

McGrath said it was a very important, but underfunded scheme.

“We have done our job as best we can in Nenagh, but we are only getting a minor amount through,” said Cllr McGrath.

COILTE

He said a combination of poor weather conditions and trucks from companies like Coilte are doing ‘terrible damage’ to small roads and bridges.

County Cathaoirleach Roger Kennedy said there was a need for a contribution from Coillte as the damage was “going to cost the council a fortune.”

Elected members previously raised concerns about damage caused by Coilte and the forestry industry at the February meeting.

REPLY

Director of Services for the roads section, Marcus O’Connor said in his reply that while funding had increased, it was still not enough.

“It has significantly improved the amount of roads getting done, but it is not sufficient; we acknowledge that,” said Mr O’Connor.

However, he said Coilte was not required to make a contribution to road works. But he did say Coillte are aware of the issues being raised, and the council have had discussions with them specifically in Silvermines.