Funding to protect Cork roads from climate-change damage cut despite rainfall increase

Funding for drainage works to prevent roads being undermined by rain and ice dropped by 10%. Picture: Andy Gibson

Parts of West Cork recorded up to 18in more rainfall in the last nine months compared with previous averages. However, the Government has cut funding for Cork County Council to protect its roads from the damage brought by the changing climate.

The average annual rainfall at Cork Airport rose in the past year to 1,527mm, or just over 60in, which is 12in more than normal.

However, latest figures released by council engineers show the rainfall increases in the West Cork region were even more pronounced.

Last year, annual rainfall in that region was 1,693mm, or 66.66 inches. However, county council engineers have revealed that in the last nine months alone, between last July and March 2024, some 1,617mm of rain fell, or 63.66in, which is 18in above the normal pattern for the period.

It is already estimated that it will cost €800m to bring the roads in the county up to an acceptable international standard due to years of Government underfunding.

Roads damaged

Sink holes recently opened up on roads in East Cork and claims have been made that in many parts of the West Cork region, roads are so damaged that they should be closed to traffic.

The county council received just over €70m in roads grants from the Department of Transport — the same amount it got in 2008.

However, within that overall figure there have been two cuts which have infuriated councillors.

The Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience grant was reduced from €2,191,800 in 2023 to €2,119,000 this year, a decrease of 3.2%.

Funding for drainage works, designed to prevent roads being undermined by rain and ice, dropped by 10% from €2,512,500 to €2,261,000.

Environment and Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has not met Cork county councillors to discuss concerns about underfunding, despite their requests.

Cork has 12,000km of roads, the largest network of any county. But the council has consistently received far less per kilometre in funding than many other counties.

Junior minister Jack Chambers has agreed to meet a council delegation in Dublin on April 24 to discuss these concerns and damage due to climate change.

Independent councillor Declan Hurley said roads on his Dunmanway farm are in a better state than some public roads in West Cork. Picture: David Patterson

Independent councillor Declan Hurley said roads on his Dunmanway farm are in a better state than some public roads in West Cork.

“The consequence of increased rainfall and the overall cut in roads funding means Cork roads will only get strengthening and improvement works carried out once every 50 years instead of the best practice of once in 20 years,” he said.