Longford-Westmeath TD, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran has welcomed the announcement this week by Transport Minister Shane Ross of details concerning investment in regional and local roads in Westmeath totalling €7.9m.
“This is excellent news for the county and I am delighted that a number of key projects that I have strongly argued for have been included in the 2018 allocation,” said Minister Moran.
While the funding in 2018 will largely continue to support the maintenance of our current regional road network, expenditure on road improvements projects has increased. Last year’s allocation to Westmeath was €6.8m and Minister Moran has warmly welcomed this year’s increase of more than one million euro.
The announcement comes in addition to the €6.8m announced for Westmeath by Transport Infrastructure Ireland earlier this month for other road safety projects.
While local authorities were able to use general grants for such schemes in recent years, this year ring-fenced funding is being provided. Westmeath County Council is to receive €235,500 in the area of drainage.
“These are two areas where I have very much wanted to see action being taken and I am very glad it is being done this year,” said Minister Moran. “There needs to be an increased focus on measures to improve the resilience of the road network in the face of climate change.”
Minister Moran added: “I am particularly pleased that the need to invest heavily in the improvement and maintenance of roads had been recognised by my colleague, Transport Minister Shane Ross.
“There is also provision for 216 bridge rehabilitation schemes and 227 safety improvement projects to be carried out. The main focus of the safety improvements scheme is to improve safety at locations where collisions have taken place.
“Funding has also been allocated to the local authority to further progress the implementation of 30km/h speed limits in housing estates. This programme is now well advanced.”
