Over 15m in funding announced for mayo roads
THE Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring, has announced that €1,579,500 has been allocated by his department for regional and local roads in Mayo.
A portion of the sum can used for community involvement schemes (CIS) and local improvement schemes (LIS), he further revealed.
This will ensure that local authorities together with local communities have increased flexibility to progress remedial and maintenance works carried out on roads in their area.
Minister Ring stated: “Funding of €24 million has been announced nationally for critical remedial work and the maintenance and strengthening of the regional and local road network across the country.
“A further €10m will be allocated to pavement works on our national road network, while €4.2m will be allocated to tourism related projects, including further development of the Wild Atlantic Way.
“This is part of a broader package that will see €100 million allocated for transport, tourism and sport initiatives across our department.”
Minister Ring explained that 20% of the roads allocation can be used by local councils for CIS, with 10% allowable for LIS. Under CIS, a person or group of persons, with the consent of the road authority, can carry out maintenance and improvement works on local roads. This allows community participation, either in money or in kind (for example through the provision of road-machinery, excavators, road building material, labour, etcetera) in having lightly trafficked roads maintained to a good standard.
Similarly, under LIS, funding is provided for roads and laneways that have not been taken in charge by the council, the maintenance and improvement of which is a matter for the relevant landowner.
In addition, approval can be sought from this extra allocation to fund urgent road safety projects which local authorities wish to progress this year.
“By allowing a portion of this much needed funding to be allocated in this way, flexibility is given to local communities and to the council to ensure that surfaces are kept to a high standard, helping to minimise accidents and keep our roads and laneways in good working order. I am delighted to announce this funding,” concluded Minister Ring.
His Fine Gael party colleague Deputy John O’Mahony has welcomed the allocation also, saying: “Since the economic collapse there has been underinvestment in roads and public transport. With the economy recovering there is now scope to increase funding and to reinvest.
“Our roads are vital in attracting investment and in supporting businesses in every part of the country. In order to keep the roads in good condition, €34 million nationally will go towards maintenance and strengthening national, regional and local roads and €1,579,500 of this will go directly to Mayo.
“As we build on the progress we have been making in recent years, more people are returning to work and our tourism industries are continuing to grow. This is all very positive. However, these developments are putting a greater demand on our public transport and on our road networks.
“The €1,579,500 additional funding is very much welcome in ensuring we maintain high quality road networks and transport in Mayo.”