€14m allocated for regional and local roads in Westmeath

Over €14m has been allocated for the maintenance and renewal of the local and regional road networks in Westmeath in 2023.

The funding includes almost €7m for restoration improvement works; €1m for restoration maintenance projects; €1m for specific improvement grants and over €400,000 for bridge rehabilitation.

The funding allocation has been welcomed by Deputy Robert Troy, who says that “it's important to continue to have investment in regional and local roads”

“It's very welcome. There a few positive projects in terms of Mullingar such as funding for safety improvement works at Lakepoint Retail Park, as well as funding for projects such as the €80,000 allocated for works on the Dublin Raod in Castlepollard, the €75,000 for works at the Strand, Slanemore and the €100,000 for rehabilitation works at Ballycorkey Bridge in Ballynacargy.

“I am glad that the government is able to prioritise investment in rural roads because of its financial position and hope that it continues.”

Nationally, almost €630m has been allocated for regional and local roads this year.

The funding package will allow approximately 3,100kms of regional and local roads to be maintained and 2,550kms to be strengthened.

Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan said: “Our main priority in 2023 continues to be the protection and renewal of the existing regional and local road network because that is the one thing you don’t curtail. It makes more sense to protect and repair our roads quickly rather than letting them fall into more expensive disrepair.

“We are providing funding for a range of schemes from larger strategic road improvements to smaller scale road improvements and critical bridge rehabilitation works. An important part of this allocation is the climate change adaptation grant which was introduced for works on roads at risk due to the impact of climate change and severe weather events.”

See below for the full breakdown of the funding locally.