Tuesday, May 17, 2011

€800K for Louth Roads as Yellowbatter Road good as New- Callan

Cllr. Kevin Callan has welcomed the works carried out at Ascal a Tri Yellowbatter where the road surface has been repaired following months of poor driving conditions leaving residents and motorists with a safe and smooth driving surface.



“I am delighted to see that the works have been carried out and that the €56,000 allocated by Drogheda Borough Council has been put to good use allowing local people who have suffered from diabolical driving conditions since the bad weather to return to a normal and safe road surface. In recent weeks residents of Yellowbatter have discussed the issue with me alond with other issues such as traffic flow at Ascal a hAon.



These works were absolutely necessary and we must ensure that all other surfaces in the town are brought up to spec. Ascal a Tri is not only a residential area but a hugely important link road as is Bredin Street which has also been allocated €56,000. In recent months I have discussed the road surfaces with many residents and it is clear that there are still areas of road surface in estates such as Ashfield and Westcourt to name but a few where roads have also been affected and require repairs, these are issues which require attention and about which I have contacted Drogheda Borough Councils Roads section.



The Drogheda Leader has also learned from Cllr. Callan that the Government through the Department of Transport has allocated €800,000 for labour intensive road upgrade works in the constituency in the multi million euro Jobs Initiative announced in recent days. The Jobs Initiative will allow a number of key road repairs to be carried out, and will create jobs in the process. These projects can go ahead because the Government has committed €75 million nationally to ‘shovel-ready’ transport projects to start this year. Much of the funding will be used to repair roads in County Louth which were badly damaged in the last two severe winters under the restoration maintenance grants. Because this is brand new funding which has been re-allocated from elsewhere in the Department of Transport, these will be brand new jobs which otherwise would not have been created. Each road project will also benefit communities and create further spin-off jobs.



With this in mind I am seeking from Louth County Council, a list of projects that they envisage giving priority to as so many roads have been very seriously affected. I am also seeking that all local authorities in County Louth review their tender procedures in respect of small projects such as the one at Yellowbatter where just over €50,000 was allocated to ensure that local contractors are on an even footing with all other contractors who may be seeking tenders, to allow for more local employment and gains for those who live and work in Drogheda and County Louth.

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