Some €16,342,214 has been allocated for the maintenance and renewal of the road network in Waterford, a Fine Gael Senator has said.
Senator John Cummins said: “This funding will cover routine maintenance to safeguard our infrastructure, ensure that our roads are resilient against the deteriorating effects of climate change and also contains provisions for walking and cycling infrastructure and safety schemes.
Senator Cummins continued: “Maintaining our regional and local road network in Waterford is not only important for connectivity, but crucial to ensuring safety on our roads, reducing road collisions and protecting lives.
“Funding for the roll out of a signage programme relating to lower speed limits in housing areas as well as ‘safe passing’ signs for cyclists will also be provided for as part of today’s allocations.
“Routine maintenance works are fundamental to safeguarding our road infrastructure and keeping the network in a good condition. A great deal of work has been ongoing in recent years in relation to prioritising drainage works and I am glad to see an additional €652,623 being allocated to supplement the councils own resources in this area.
“Over €3million being provided discretionary grant aid will allow Waterford City and County Council to prioritise the areas which they see fit in their annual roads works programmes which will be debated shortly”.
“It should be noted that all strategic road improvement investment schemes will include provisions for walking and cycling infrastructure to take account of the needs of all road users, including cyclists and pedestrians and I would hope a sizable sum of money will be spent on the improvement of footpaths across the county.”
I commend my colleagues Minister Eamon Ryan and Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton for this critically important investment. I know it will make a huge difference to our road network in Waterford”