Disappointment expressed over lack of funding for N24 between Waterford and Cahir

There was disappointment expressed at this months meeting in Ferrybank Library of Piltown Municipal District over the lack of funding towards upgrading the N24 between Waterford and Cahir following a recent announcement by the Government on road funding projects.

At the start of the meeting Councillor Pat Dunphy (FG) expressed disappointment that no money was allocated towards upgrading the road.

"I just want to take this as an opportunity to say how disappointed we are that we go no look in at all," he said.

"There was nothing in the south east whatsoever," he added.

Cllr Dunphy went on to comment: "I think it's a disgrace that the south west of the country get 10 or 11 roads [funding] but the south east gets one, down there at Oylegate, and I'm not saying anything about that, but that's the only road in the south east that got it."

Cllr Dunphy then highlighted the case that had been made by the elected members at the Piltown meetings but also at the full Council meetings along with meetings between the "four or five local authorities and TDs and still nothing".

"They met us and the Minister and still nothing," he said.

"We just have to keep at it because I can't take that lying down and I think we have to get back at it and keep the pressure on", said Cllr Dunphy.

"It is very disappointing that two important roads stuck on phase 2, should be on phase 3, because accidents and deaths, number one, and number two the amount of people that are affected or impacted by their land and houses," he added.

"All I can call it is a disgrace and I hope that we all pull together on this and try to get another meeting of everybody in the south east."

Councillor Thomas Breathnach (Labour), asked for advice from the Acting Director of Services, Ian Gardner, and Area Engineer, John Tennyson, as to whether or not the Council should write to the minister on the matter

"Maybe we should write to the minister and invite communication as soon as possible in light of the case made for the N24 and N25 with the possibility of new funding becoming available to the Government," said Cllr Breathnach.

In response the officials said the Council could write and express disappointment over the situation and the members were told that further funding allocations might be announced "further down the line".

Leas-Cathaoirleach, Councillor Jenny Catt-Slattery (FG), then asked if there was any way the Council could go to TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland) over the matter due to its importance.

"Is there any way we can go to TII about putting funding in place," she said.

Mr Tennyson said the local authority's road design office did communicate with TII and said: "The initial thing was that nothing would be done, back in January, imminently but that they would look at it."

"Road design have asked TII can that junction opposite the Rhu Glen be reviewed," said Mr Tennyson.

"As far as I know they are awaiting TII to come back," he added.

"Well can we write to them again and say we haven't got the funding so nothing is going to happen but this is major issue on that road," replied Cllr Catt-Slattery.

"I can ask the road design office to write to them again in light of no funding in phase 2, in particular to see if that junction can be looked at," said Mr Tennyson.