Tanker route badly needs some of the fuel taxes

TRANSPORT Minister Noel Dempsey says he has no funds for repair of the roads damaged by the recent ice, snow and heavy rain. I can point him towards a related fund which did not exist this time last year.

The R630 in east Cork (Midleton to Whitegate) must be one of the busiest regional roads in Ireland. Along it pass very large petroleum tankers that carry 40% of the nation’s fuel requirements (from the Conoco-Philips refinery), not to mention a substantial amount of the bottled gas (from Calor-Kosangas). From sales of these fuels the Government receives a substantial amount of revenue through taxes and excise duties.

However, Minister Dempsey sees no urgency in having this road repaired to a standard that will bear so many 20-plus tonne trucks day and night.

We unfortunate motorists who drive the R630 daily can only do so with extreme caution. Recently I counted more than 150 large potholes within the final two miles from Midleton alone.

Cork County Council uses a flashing sign to warns motorists the road is damaged. However, no matter how slowly one travels, it is impossible to avoid all the potholes between Ballinacurra village and Lakeview Service Station. Ministers Dempsey and Gormley should immediately direct the revenues from the so-called carbon tax towards repairing this essential road, as it is only a matter of time before a major accident occurs. Then it will be too late.

Tom Baldwin

Hillside

Aghada

Midleton

Co Cork