Kildare TD calls for more funding for road maintenance following 'severe winter' resulting in cracks and potholes in the roads

By Kim O'Leary

Fiona O’Loughlin, TD for Kildare South is calling on the Department for Transport, Shane Ross to allocate further funding to local county councils to allow maintenance work to be ramped up on roads that have been impacted by the severe weather over the last number of months.

The weather which communities across Ireland have endured in recent months has not been experienced in many, many years. Snow and ice are arguably the worst conditions for causing extensive damage to roads due to the freeze-thaw process and these freezing conditions are now exacerbating existing road conditions. Cracking in the roads have resulted in potholes under the pressure from vehicles continually driving over them.

Deputy O’Loughlin went on to say: “Kildare was one of the worst hit counties in the country and we are not seeing the effects of it on our roads. The road from Newbridge Graveyard to the lights at Ryston is in shocking condition; as is the main road from Kildare Town to Newbridge. Many roads in housing estates around the County are deteriorating and the Council workers are doing the best they can to improve the conditions."

She added: “The Minister needs to act now and provide the needed resources to local authorities. Long-term and preventative road maintenance is ultimately the only way to properly withstand these kinds of conditions again in the future."