SHANE ROSS UNDER FIRE AS WEXFORD ROADS DEEMED THE WORST IN IRELAND
OUR roads are officially the worst in the country and they’re driving one councillor crazy.
Speaking at the Wexford County Council meeting, Cllr John Fleming said a national oversight committee has found that Wexford has the worst primary and the fourth worst secondary roads nationally, while the regional roads are also ranked among the nation’s worst. ‘Shane Ross and the Government have failed as our roads are in the worst condition in Ireland. Is there any way we can look for funding on the back of this?’
Cllr Michael Whelan said most other counties are getting more funding for roads under the Local Improvement Scheme, than Wexford. Director of services for Roads Eamonn Hore said the council has been lobbying for funding since the first survey in 1996. ‘We have gone back to the department on three occasions. Over the last two years there have been significant increases in funding of over €1m for roads. We have proven that given the money we can bridge that gap.’
On Local Improvement Scheme roads’ funding, Mr Hore said Wexford has received more than some counties and less than others.
‘It’s not based on the number of ministers per county then?’ Cllr Michael Whelan said.
Cllr Robbie Ireton said there are anomalies in how funding is distributed throughout the county. Mr Hore said Local Improvement Scheme funding for lanes is solely based on applications the local authority receives. ‘ The money for road strengthening and surface dressing is divided equally,’ he said.