Conlan supports decision to protect existing road network – 11/03/13

Fine Gael TD Sean Conlan welcomed the announcement by Minister Leo Varadkar that priority be afforded to the maintenance and drainage of rural roads.

“I am pleased the Minister has given Local Authorities much greater flexibility in allocating road budgets throughout the local area offices.

“Under the changes announced today by Minister Varadkar, Local Authorities are being urged to use a greater portion of their funding from the Local Government Fund towards maintaining tertiary roads. The local Area Offices will also have greater discretion on how the monies allocated for road projects can be spent. Maintenance of rural roads will be given priority this year, ahead of restoration works such as road widening and the removal of dangerous bends.

“This means that local engineers are to be afforded the discretion to prioritise rural roads for increased maintenance and drainage works which is a very welcome development.

“I fully support the Minister’s personal intervention to re-focus the allocation of his Department’s road budget towards the essential maintenance of rural roads. I am delighted with the developments which I regard as a significant shift in policy at both local and national level.

“We have to be more creative with how we manage the very limited budgets for road maintenance and I believe that the announcement by Minister Varadkar is a recognition of this.”