Worst winter in living memory leaves some rural roads undriveable

The appalling state of many rural roads around Meath, left riddled with potholes and falling apart in the wake of the December cold snap and heavy rain in recent weeks, has been highlighted by public representatives and residents throughout the county. Long stretches of secondary roads are dangerous and some almost unusable because of the huge volume of potholes created by the recent bad winter. Meath County Council is faced with the huge task of repairing the county's road network and a spokesperson pointed out that pothole repair was ongoing and the council is prioritising severely damaged roads insofar as is possible. Cllr John Farrelly proposed at a meeting of Meath County Council that they seek permission from the Departmentof the Environment to use the Road Improvement Fund, which has been accumulated over a three-year period, to repair the damaged roads. “We have had the worst weather in recent history and, no matter where you go now, the roads are deplorable,†he said. “The roads are very dangerous and motorists need to take extreme care,†he added. Deputy Shane McEntee has also called on Meath County Council to switch their emphasis on spending from road improvements to road maintenance for one year, so that they can get on top of this problem for once and for all. “While travelling around the county during my election canvass, I have been struck by the appalling state of many secondary roads. “Along with emigration and jobs, it is an issue people are raising with me on the doorsteps. The situation is now so bad in many parts of the county that entire stretches of side roads are in danger of disappearing because of the number, width and depth of the potholes.†He said he wanted the new Minister for the Environment to draw up a national plan to restore our roads network. “A national plan to restore our secondary roads network has obvious job-creation potential. This important work will require funding from Government to local authorities, many of whom are already facing serious financial difficulties,†he said. Cllr Nick Killian said that while canvassing this week in the Painstown area of Ashbourne, he came across the worst potholes he has seen in the county. “Approximately 400m of roadway has completely collapsed and is a serious health and safety risk for motorists, cyclists and motorcyclists and I would have serious concerns that someone who would be unfamilar with this road could have a serious accident or, at the very least, damage their vehicle,†he said this week. “One local resident told me that she no longer travels this road, which is her normal route to Ashbourne tow,n and goes out of her way to travel to Ashbourne via Curraha. This road needs to be repaired as soon as possible,†he added. The state of roads in the area caused heated discussions in Syddan GFC clubhouse this week where local residents met to discuss roads in the area on Monday night. The state of the Barnwellstown Road came in for particular fire, but residents heard that the money is available for improvement to that road and work would start in the spring. However, the state of many local roads were also brought up by residents who expressed anger at their condition. Cllr Wayne Harding said he would be looking for a start date for the work on Barnswelltown Road at this week's area meeting of the council. He pointed out that the council would be working on roads in the Lobinstown, Newtown and Heronstown area for the next month. Cllr Anne Dillon Gallagher said some of the roads in the area were in a very serious condition, but she was pleased that work was due to start at Barnwellstown. She hoped that a new government would put money into class three roads and pointed out that the county council has a greatly reduced staff now, which meant dealing with the problem was even more difficult.