Funding approved for six rural roads
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.