Spend more on rural roads, says FF

ESCALATED spending on local and regional roads – the most neglected surfaces in the country – was demanded yesterday by the main Opposition party.

But while seeking traction with rural dwellers, Fianna Fáil couldn’t quite bring itself to say that funding for secondary routes should be prioritised over the Cork-to-Limerick motorway.

Fianna Fáil transport spokesman Robert Troy TD described that project as like building an extension to the house when the house was falling down. But when asked if it logically followed from his analogy that the existing infrastructure should be fixed first, he argued both should proceed at the same time.

‘Regional and local roads are in a dreadful state as a result of the Government’s failure to invest in roads infrastructure,’ Mr Troy said, pointing out that a recent report found that seven in ten had serious structural and surface defects.

There were not only serious safety concerns for road users but also significantly increased maintenance costs to motorists, he argued, adding that councils had been provided with less than half the funding they needed to maintain the roads over the last five years.

At least an additional €163million is needed each year to maintain the existing road network, before any improvements. And along with the Capital Investment Plan to be announced on Friday, the party wants a renewed commitment to regional and local roads.

He said all parties should the Government to account on the issue.