Bray People

Funding approved for six rural roads

- By DEBORAH COLEMAN

SIX rural roads in Co Wicklow have been approved for upgrades under the Local Improvemen­t Scheme.

The sum of €310,000 is to be divided between the stretches of road, which vary in size from 300m and 1,485 metres.

Two of the roads are in west Wicklow – namely Valentines Lane at Blackmoor, Donard, and Tuckmill, Baltinglas­s – while roads at Hawkstown Upper, Wicklow; Slanelough, Ashford; Churchlane, Calary and Tomdarragh, Roundwood, have also been earmarked for improvemen­ts.

Valentine’s Lane has received the largest allocation, a figure of €94,081, followed by Hawkstown Upper at €92,066.

The allocation­s were welcomed by Minister Simon Harris who said that the Local Improvemen­t Scheme is about improving small roads and laneways in rural Ireland which are not under the normal maintenanc­e of the Local Authoritie­s.

‘ This year, with two significan­t storms, we really saw the importance of road maintenanc­e and improvemen­ts coming to the fore. This scheme is a lifeline for people living in rural areas because it directly improves their access to and from their homes and farms. Many people living and working in rural areas use these roads every time they enter or leave their home or farm, so the condition of their access road really impacts on them,’ he said.

Minister of State for Food, Forestry and Horticultu­re Andrew Doyle has described the scheme as a ‘ lifeline for people living in rural areas’ because it directly improves their access to and from their homes and farms.

‘Investing in the improvemen­t of these roads really makes a positive impact on people’s quality of life in rural areas. Many lanes and boreens which link private homes and farms are not on the public road network and so are not maintained by the Local Authoritie­s. The Local Improvemen­t Scheme is therefore a very valuable support for rural families and businesses that use these roads on a daily basis,’ he said.

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