Editorial: Delays in making N24 and N25 roads safe are simply not good enough - Kilkenny Live

It is high time the Government re-examined its priorities and allocated sufficient funding to improve the N24 and N25 roads that run through South Kilkenny.

The most recent roads funding plan for 2025 bizarrely excluded the N24 from Waterford to Cahir, and the N25 from Waterford to Glenmore — glaring omissions that must be addressed.

Despite strong community pressure and evidence for the economic and safety benefits of upgrades, both the N24 and N25 have been consistently overlooked. Promises are made, timelines slip, and urgent works are deferred.

For years, campaigners, local councillors, and families affected by road tragedies have called for investment in upgrading and modernising these routes. These are not minor back roads— they are national arteries which facilitate thousands of vehicles daily. The volume of traffic seems to be increasing all the time.

As local TD Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere points out, the N25 has seen 11 fatalities, four of which happened since the proposed upgrade was suspended or paused in 2022. Another local TD, Natasha Newsome Drennan, says we need a clear plan with deadlines set in stone, not ‘vague promises of reviews’ with no timelines.
READ: 'THEY HAVE SHOWN LITTLE TO NO CONCERN'

The local community have requested measures such as installing traffic islands and rumble strips to reduce speed, lowering the speed limit in the area, and other measures.

A public meeting has now been called at the Rhu Glenn in Slieverue on Monday, June 16, where local people will have an opportunity to voice concerns. They must be listened to.

GOOD LUCK
Best of luck to Kilkenny’s under-20s who take on Tipperary in an All-Ireland final tomorrow (Saturday).The young Cats did extremely well to down Dublin and win their Leinster crown.

UPMC Nowlan Park being the venue for this clash with an old enemy only sweetens the pot. Let’s hope everyone dons the black and amber and gets out to support Kilkenny this weekend, with a double-header a big draw!
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