McFadden welcomes additional road funding for Westmeath

 

Longford/Westmeath Fine Gael TD Nicky McFadden has welcomed the news that funding is to be provided for regional and local roads in Westmeath.

Deputy McFadden has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar TD, that the Government has approved an additional €50 million for regional and local roads expenditure in 2013, with €892,289 being allocated to Westmeath County Council for regional and local roads.

“I am delighted that this funding has been sanctioned for Westmeath County Council. Whilst individual local authorities are responsible under law for the upkeep and maintenance of regional and local roads, exchequer funding supplements expenditure in this area. This additional funding has to be spent by Westmeath County Council this year and this is to be welcomed as it means the works can be carried out soon,” said Deputy McFadden.

“This additional allocation is to be directed primarily to surface restoration works,” she added.

“However, if the Council considers that there are particular safety schemes that need to be progressed urgently, it can make an application to the Department of Transport to use some funds on that basis,”Deputy McFadden continued.

Deputy McFadden finished by saying that she believes that this initiative by the Minister will “add significantly to road safety in Westmeath” and further improve the local and regional roads across the county.