Fears for Kerry's deteriorating road network as funding slashed 34% this year

Despite strong warnings that Kerry’s road network will deteriorate further, funding for the county council’s 2014 roadworks programme has been slashed by 34%.

Road services director Charlie O’Sullivan told a special meeting in Tralee, yesterday, the overall allocation of €27m — down by almost €14m since last year — presented a “serious challenge’’ to meet the expectations of road users and local communities.

All sections of the programme have been cut severely, with the national road allocation down from €22.6 to €9.6m, chiefly due to the completion of the Tralee bypass last year.

However, the final bill for the €97m bypass has not yet been agreed with the contractor.

Mr O’Sullivan said the council would try to retain existing staff levels, but funding cuts would result in reduced demand for hired machinery and supplies of road-making materials.

Money for regional and local roads, €12.7m, is down almost 8% from last year and is just half of the sum available in 2008.

There will be no money for surface overlay works on national primary routes this year.

Funding, however, is being provided for the Listowel bypass and for land acquisition completion on the N86 Tralee-Dingle road.

Mr O’Sullivan said the biggest disappointment was the decision by An Bord Pleanála not to sanction remaining work on the N86, which would have included cycleways. The council is seeking a judicial review of the decision.

A sum of €3.5m is being provided for improvements to national secondary roads, including sections of the Ring of Kerry tourist route.

The council has been allocated €200,000 to erect signage on its section of the Wild Atlantic Way.

South Kerry Independent Alliance Cllr Michael Gleeson urged that local communities be given immunity from insurance liability to carry out necessary work on minor roads, such as the opening of water tables, ‘’I’ve seen a case of severe pounding which a person with a shovel could resolve in an hour and half by removing all the water from a road,’’ he said.

Cllr Gleeson also said there could be an influx of ‘’pothole candidates’’ in the forthcoming local elections.

Independent Cllr Brendan Cronin voiced disappointment at the failure to allocate money for work on national primary routes, such as the N22 Cork to Tralee road.

“The money we’re getting for roads this year is like a drop in the ocean,” he said.