Extra road funding critical for rural Waterford
During a meeting held this week to consider the Draft Budgetary Plan for Comeragh District of Waterford City and County Council, local councillors made it loud and clear that the largely rural Comeragh district is in dire need of additional funding for roads.
All of the councillors present pleaded with Senior Executive Council staff to prioritise the district for additional funding in 2026.
Cllr Liam Brazil commented that roads will remain number one priority next year.
“Roads will be our big one again going forward In the Comeragh district," he said.
“We probably have the largest amount of roads in county Waterford here in the Comeragh district and I always say we have the mountain and the sea here which is fantastic, but they bring misfortune with them because when the water comes down from the mountain it can do some destruction to our roads.
“It definitely did this year and it will again.
“I think all councillors here in the Comeragh should be pleading to get money in there."
Cllr Seanie Power added that the areas of Clonea-Power, Rathgormack and Ballymacarbary were particularly damaged during heavy snowfall earlier this year.
“We got an awful gruelling with the snow I think we need a huge amount of money for our roads, we need extra money.
“They’re really bad at the moment. Roads is a huge thing for us in the distirct.”
Cllr Catherine Burke added that "Comeragh and its roads are in a really bad state".
Cathaoirleach of the District, Cllr John O'Leary said: "The message is clear, whatever we got in 2025, whatever we got in 2024, we need to get a bigger slice of the cake in 2026."
He went to to say more is needed: "We need a bigger percentage of the road budget in the Comeragh district."
