Kilkenny's extra road scheme funding will only pay for one extra project

Funding of more than a quarter of a million euro for a roads repair scheme in the Callan Thomastown municipal district has been welcomed - but will only allow for one extra road project this year.

The sum of €257,800 has been allocated to the district under additional funding announced recently for the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS), councillors were told at their May meeting.

Area Engineer, Declan Murphy, said that based on the list of LIS projects waiting to be addressed, instead of one project being undertaken this year they can now do two.

LIS is designed to support the improvement of non-public roads and lanes that are not normally maintained by the local authorities.

Funding provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development is set to be complemented by a local financial contribution from landowners/ householders, as well as local authority resources.

Welcoming the additional funding District chair Cllr Deirdre Cullen said it was a pity Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) funds were not also increased. This scheme allows joint projects between councils and local communities on regional and local roads.

“People are languishing on that list for years and years,” Cllr Cullen pointed out. Referring to the upcoming elections, she added: “I hope, going forward, whoever will be around this table will keep fighting for CIS as well.”