Many country roads are falling to pieces
Many of our non-national roads have been under water for months and there has been a rapid disintegration of surfaces.
This has had a serious effect on industry, tourism and the day-to-day lives of rural families. Local economies are affected because lorries cannot travel some routes to collect milk.
Tourism is affected because many of our visitor attractions and fishing areas are at the end of county, or Class 3, roads. Some beauty spots and places of interest are virtually closed because they are almost inaccessible.
People are unable to cycle on these roads and elderly people are afraid to venture out particularly at night, for fear of falling.
Many rural roads don’t have adequate drainage and water penetration through cracked surfaces leads quickly to potholing.
The reduction in maintenance as a result of cutbacks in local funding over the years has accelerated the decline of county roads. Does the Government plan to treat the people of rural Ireland, with its third-class roads, as third-class citizens?
Cllr Noel Collins
‘St Jude’s’
Midleton
Co Cork
