€14.5m For Wicklow Roads

Sorted!

art of a nationwide investment package of €685m, Wicklow is set to receive €14.5m to restore its regional and local roads.

The big plan being that 2,640km of our crappier roads and 2,160km of our not-so-crappy will actually be fit for purpose by the end of 2024.

Naturally, the moolah has been much welcomed by local politicians, with Cllr Stephen Stokes pointing to the €140,000 earmarked for road safety works on Delgany Wood Road. “This is good news for Delgany,” says Stokes. “I have been campaigning for road and footpath improvements in this area. I am grateful to Wicklow County Council for recently fixing a damaged roundabout in Delgany Wood at my request.”

Added Minister Simon Harris, “Engineering solutions are essential in reducing road deaths as well as instances of serious injury. We want to create a safer transport environment for all.

“I look forward to Wicklow County Council utilising this funding to the maximum benefit for Wicklow’s road users and pedestrians.”

Dang right.

For good measure, Senator Pat Casey added, “Maintaining and improving our road network is crucial to sustaining and developing our local economies across rural Ireland. These roads are imperative for children getting to school and people getting to work safely.”

As well as drainage work, flood protection, severe weather works and salt purchase, other features of this year’s investment includes road pavement strengthening works, preventative surface dressing work, bridge rehabilitation works, signage and safety improvement works.

Green TD Steven Matthews has the last word.

“I am delighted that a number of climate adaptation works have been introduced for roads at risk of severe weather events. These works will help to protect our transport network from the effects of climate change.

“Road safety improvements will be particularly important as we continue to expand rural bus routes. Significant funding will also be provided to install cycle signs and speed limit signage. The launch of this scheme follows the record funding for walking and cycling schemes in Wicklow announced last week.

“This investment is essential to improving our transport infrastructure in Wicklow”, Deputy Matthews concluded.