ROAD users across the Southside should be able to notice a difference in the New Year after a raft of funding was made available under national road schemes.
Just before Christmas, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, received confirmation from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) that, as a result of funding secured in Budget 2019, it had approved national road schemes to the tune of €338m.
The total includes €319m for improvement works, and nearly €18m in maintenance in the first tranche of funding allocated by TII.
“This funding will go towards developing and maintaining vital national road infrastructure for safe and effective travel throughout the country,” the minister said.
“Whether in cities or on rural roads, good maintenance and road infrastructure is key to optimising safety, as well as ensuring that motorists get from A to B as comfortably and efficiently as possible.
“This funding will greatly assist local authorities in delivering on this.
“In addition, it will strength connectivity between the regions, which is crucial in the context of Brexit and will assist in the delivery of our commitments in the National Development Plan.”
Michael Nolan, the CEO Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) stated: “This funding is an important investment toward the development and maintenance of national road infrastructure which will allow for road users to travel safely and efficiently throughout the country.”
On a local level Minister Josepha Madigan has welcomed the allocation of €2,506,170 for the improvement and maintenance of roads in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown in 2019.
“This announcement is a positive boost for our growing local area,” the minister said.
“Many roads in Dublin Rathdown are under a lot of pressure every day. Hopefully this funding can be used to address many concerns that local communities have about dangerous roads and junctions. This includes the junction at the Ballyogan Road and Murphystown Way, and on Kilgobbin Lane.
“In addition, traffic calming measures are required in numerous areas such as on the Trees Road in Mount Merrion which is very busy every morning, and in Gledswood which motorists drive through at unacceptable speeds, and in Woodford where there are serious parking concerns.
“With significant funding allocations such as this, come expectations of results,” Minister Madigan added.
“I will be working with local Fine Gael councillors in the area to encourage the council to spend these funds in a way that most benefits communities.”
Meanwhile, another €1.35m is being made available to get local main roads in the South Dublin County Council area in order, according to Dublin South West Independent Minister, Katherine Zappone.
The money from Transport Infrastructure Ireland will be used for maintenance, lighting, and the paving of primary and secondary roads in local communities.
In addition, there is funding for pavement works on the Blessington Road.
In welcoming the announcement, Minister Zappone said it was timely as many roads and footpaths needed repairs after adverse weather.
Minister Zappone added: “A good road network with safe pavements is essential, not for only for business but also to allow people in our communities go about their daily business.
“Many of our roads still have scars from the harsh weather of last winter and will be further damaged by recent heavy rains.
“Therefore, this investment is timely and should be put to good use.
“It is important this funding is made available to the council as soon as possible so that the work of the crews who keep our roads maintained and safe can be supported.
“Lighting and pavement work is particularly important to ensure that in the event that we see a return of the very cold weather of last winter that people can visit and check in on neighbours in safety.”
Minister Zappone added: “Potholes on many of our main roads also need to be repaired before they cause damage to more vehicles or cause accidents.
“It is my hope that we will see these improvements early in the New Year.”
The primary and secondary road network in Ireland is some 5,306km long and is made up of motorways, dual carriageways and single lane roads. Approximately 320km of the 916km motorway network is being operated by Public Private Partnerships.
Other sections are managed by Motorway Maintenance and Renewal Contract operators. The network carries approximately 45 per cent of the country’s total road traffic.