Fine Gael TD for Wicklow, Andrew Doyle, has welcomed the announcement that a €50 million boost is in place for road surface repairs nationwide as part of the Government’s Investing in Infrastructure and Jobs Plan. The investment includes many roads in County Wicklow where surfaces in need of repair.
Deputy Doyle said, “The fact that a further €50 million is being allocated by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport is being allocated for repairs and restoration of regional and local roads, including many in County Wicklow.”
“Nationally, this €50 million top-up boost for the road improvement programme will allow repairs and renewal of road surfaces on an extra 600km of roads. The proposed funding will be allocated to councils for use primarily on the restoration of road surfaces. This comes on top of the €350 million which was allocated to pavement works at the beginning of the year, bringing it to a total of €400 million for the 2013 year.”
“Two successively poor winters have had a dramatic impact on local roads in Wicklow. With the possibility that deterioration of these roads getting progressively worse for another winter, a decision has been taken to inject money into their repairs now, which will cost less in the longer term for their repair. This is a welcome progressive step.”
“It is important that we continue to have suitable transport infrastructure for the future. I have already spoken with Wicklow County Council regarding this plan and they intend to begin the work as soon as the funding is available to be drawn down.”
“This announcement is very welcome given that the work announced in this programme is to be used right away with work to be carried out in summer and autumn this year. This is an important development for the continued investment in Wicklow infrastructure of which I will continue to work on”, concluded Deputy Doyle.