Roads damaged in the recent severe storm weather could benefit from remediation works sooner than expected as nearly €20 million has been allocated for the maintenance and strengthening of local and regional roads in Galway city and county.
The funding was announced by the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar, as part of a national €332.9 million investment programme in local and regional roads. Welcoming the announcement, Galway West-South Mayo Senator Hildegarde Naughton explained that this allocation, which is in addition to the funds already made available to local authorities, will allow the “targeting of Galway roads damaged in recent storms”.
Senator Naughton said: “ I am delighted that this money has become available, particularly in light of the recent storm damage in Galway. Local authorities now have more discretion than ever as to how the funding is allocated, with €106 million of the total being for works that local authorities have full discretion over. I am also very pleased that the Minister has consented to local authorities setting aside up to 15 per cent of funds for the establishment of local improvement schemes.
“The Government recently considered a preliminary report on the damage caused by recent storms to all public infrastructure, including roads and rail, with an initial estimate of the cost of the damage. Local authorities have now been asked to prepare a full assessment of the work that needs to be done together with detailed cost estimates. The detailed assessment and the action required will then be considered by Government. In the meantime local authorities are permitted to prioritise the repair of these roads from the above grant allocation.”
