€12.8m boost for regional and local roads in Westmeath
Westmeath County Council is set to receive over €12.8m in funding for regional and local road projects, including an allocation of €350,000 to advance the so-called 'Railway Field' road link project.
The funding has been warmly welcomed by a number of local public representatives,, including Minister for State, Peter Burke, who said it will be “well spent keeping our commuters, motorists, cyclists and pedestrians safe on our roads."
He referred to a number of projects in the Athlone area which are set to receive funding, among them being €70,000 for road edge protection measures at Golden Island under Climate Change Adaptation Works; €350,000 for the Athlone Railway Link Phase 2 project; safety works in Moate, Ardnagrath, Mount Temple and other key locations in South Westmeath and additional funding for singage works, including cycle signs and speed limit signs in housing estates and rural areas.
Road improvements in Westmeath are set to make up €6.5 million of the total funding allocated to the county under the latest round of investment, and in excess of €1 million will be spent on road restoration.
Minister Burke said he is glad to see that bridge rehabilitation projects across county Westmeath will continue to be carried out, and will receive funding, as well as funds being directed towards Community Involvement Schemes.
The €12.8 million being allocated to Westmeath is part of a €597 million investment programme for local and national roads in 2022 announced today (Tuesday) by Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD. Overall funding will increase by over 4% this year. The funding package will allow approximately 3,100kms of roads to be maintained and 2,550kms to be strengthened.
Minister Ryan stated: “The main priority in 2022 continues to be the protection and renewal of the existing regional and local road network. Last year I introduced a climate change adaptation grant for works on roads at risk due to the impact of climate change and severe weather events. I am pleased to say that this funding will continue in 2022 with €15 million being allocated for 355 climate change adaptation projects.”
Minister of State Naughton commented: “This year we will spend over €26 million more than last year on our local and regional roads, demonstrating Government’s commitment to ensure a strong, safe and sustainable roads network. I am particularly happy to see continued investment of some €55 million, and good progress, on new strategic regional and local roads projects right across the country. Separately, €12 million is being allocated to road safety schemes that target remedial measures to improve road safety for vulnerable road users and vehicular traffic. This funding will allow in excess of 300 safety projects to be carried out. This also includes provision for funding to continue a signage programme which includes signage to support lower speed limits in housing areas, rural speed limit signage and a “safe passing” cycle sign.”
Minister Ryan also confirmed that a new two year work programme under the Community Involvement Scheme is starting this year with €15 million being allocated to the Scheme in 2022.
Funding of €16 million is being allocated for 350 bridge rehabilitation schemes to be progressed. Bridge rehabilitation work is consistently required to maintain and renew an old bridge stock which is made up of approximately 80% masonry arch structures.
Provision has been made for a limited programme of strategic road improvement projects. 12 regional and local road improvement projects were identified for development, subject to necessary approvals, in the original 2018-2027 National Development Plan. Six of these projects have been completed and construction will be underway in 2022 on a further four.