Lismore allocated 'diddley squat' in active travel funding for Waterford
Snow capped Knockmealdown mountains behind Lismore Castle. Pic: Eddie Dee
Councillor John Pratt has said he is “absolutely disgusted” at the lack of active travel funding for Lismore.
At the February sitting of the Dungarvan-Lismore District Council, Senior Engineer Gabriel Hynes told elected members that €540,000 in active travel funding had been allocated to the district this year.
However, of the projects approved under the fund, none were in the Lismore area.
Cllr Pratt said that he acknowledged that works have been carried out in Tallow, and while it really shouldn’t be about individual areas, he was disappointed for Lismore.
“There are three representatives here for the Lismore electoral area, and they are getting diddley squat from this fund.
“I am absolutely disgusted. Delighted about what’s been done but it's a shame there isn’t more work being carried out in the Tallow Lismore and Cappoquin it's very very disappointing and I would just like to put that on the record," said Cllr Pratt.
Cllr Pratt acknowledged that “shovel-ready” projects in rural areas do not qualify for active travel funding but asked that the council write to the new Minister for Transport, asking him to extend the fund to smaller towns, villages and rural areas.
Cllr Donnchadgh Mulcahy supported his district colleague saying: “On this piece of paper, I don’t see one washer being spent in my neck of the woods.”
“I’m sure the people of Lismore will not be happy to see this,” said Cllr Mulcahy.
Cllr Tom Cronin said he does agree with his colleagues in Lismore, but the answer is to get more funding.
“So you know we can argue you one hand and toss it around the other, but you know, could I take money off any one of the other places. You probably couldn’t really because they badly need it,” said Cllr Cronin.
He said they need to put pressure on the Minister and the two Waterford TDs in government.
Leas-Cathaoirleach Damien Geoghegan said he agreed with everyone, especially Cllr Cronin.
“I think Cllr Cronin got it in a nutshell really, we need more funding; that’s the reality,” said Cllr Geoghegan.
Senior Engineer Gabriel Hynes said this is a multiyear programme, that saw a “considerable amount of money spent outside Dungarvan,” including Lismore.
