FUNDING GRANTED TO FIX ROADS

ROADS across the county were severely damaged this winter after strong winds and persistent rain battered out shores during a series of storms.

But, that issue may now be resolved as Sligo County has been allocated € 4 million for repair works on roads that were left damaged following the severe weather in December.

This allocation is in response to funding applications made by Sligo County Council Roads and Transportation section in recent weeks.

It is intended that the works to be prioritised under this funding allocation are repair works to roads, bridges and drainage and also preventative works to address flooding on roads particularly those roads which have been subject to repeated flooding in recent years.

The Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Councillor Rosaleen O’Grady welcomed this funding allocation and said: “This investment in the roads network in the county is a great boost to the Council to address the significant damage to the roads network right across Sligo and to bring forward schemes that will seek to prevent flooding at key locations in the future.

“The support of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in providing this additional funding to local authorities impacted by the severe weather in December is welcomed”.

Chief Executive Ciarán Hayes paid tribute to the Engineering staff for the comprehensive submission they had made to the Department in seeking funding.

He noted “The quality of submission made has been rewarded in today’s announcement which when added to the initial 2016 Roads funding allocation of € 7.8M for regional and local roads announced in January will see a very significant Roadworks programme in Sligo in 2016 which can only benefit every community across Sligo”.

Sligo County Council are also confident that further funding for national, regional and local roads that suffered severe weather damage will be secured at a later date.

Local TD’s welcomed the funding. John Perry said: “I have been working to ensure that roads in Sligo/ Leitrim receive the funds needed to repair the damage caused by severe flooding and winter storms. The repair works will improve accessibility for local residents, farmers and businesses and will make life easier for everyone. The total fund available is worth € 106 million nationally and € 85 million is being made available immediately to Local Authorities. € 8 million is also being allocated for national roads and a further € 8 million is being set aside for repairs to rail infrastructure. The remaining funding will be allocated this summer depending on where the need arises.