€1 million paving funding reinstated for Waterford
Carroll's Cross
At recent meeting of councillors in the Comeragh district, the progression of funding works at Carroll's Cross and upgrades to the Crough Wood walk were discussed.
The previously removed funding for the N25 Carroll’s Cross to Ballyduff East Pavement Scheme has been reinstated.
Announcing the news at a recent meeting of Waterford City and County Council, Cllr John O’Leary (FF) outlined that it was a relief to see the funding returned.
“It was announced here at a previous Comeragh district meeting that funding for the paving of the roadway from Carroll's Cross to Ballyduff/ Kilmeaden was taken away. That was devastating news as far as I’m concerned because there was €1 million allocated.
“But after prolonged representation to our local TD and indeed to Transport Infrastructure Ireland, I’m delighted to say that that money has been reimbursed and works can now commence."
Gabriel Hynes, Senior Engineer with Waterford City and County Council, commented that although the funding has been returned, it may be some time before works commence.
“The difficulty at this stage is getting a contractor on site and going to tender.”
Updates have been provided on the Crough Wood Walk stabilization project this week.
The project is ‘finally advancing’, according to Waterford Council engineers.
Cllr Liam Brazil (FG) raised the topic at a recent Comeragh district council meeting, saying that the walk is a "fantastic amenity" and that the works must progress "ASAP".
“We got funding for doing repairs on it this year and I’m just wondering how far advanced are we on that, because we all know this is a fantastic amenity to have in the Comeragh district and we know that it is well used.
“We have two coffee shops there, which are doing fantastic business. We do need to have progress on that because it’s a fantastic amenity."
Responding to the query, Richie Walsh, Head of Enterprise at the Local Enterprise Office, said the project is progressing.
“It is at an advanced design stage. We have a full set of drawings and we’d be in a position to go to tender in the next few weeks.
“There's a combination of safeties involved, road safety and user safety, so it was complicated, but the design is now complete and it will be going to tender and we'll hopefully have a contractor before the end of the year."
Mr. Walsh added that a contractor could be on site in mid-January and the works could take three to four months to complete.
