Pat the Cope Gallagher insists more needs to be done in order to deal with the legacy of poor roads and disintegrating infrastructure in Donegal.
The TD’s comments come following the announcement of almost €30million to improve roads and bridges across the county.
The grant allocation shows a decrease in the figures for the last three years, with a €3million downfall since 2018.
“The overall allocation will not address the legacy needs of the county’s infrastructure, which due to underinvestment since 2011 is currently under severe pressure,” Pat the Cope said.
“The entire road network throughout the county requires much more substantial investment – with funding to be frontloaded in order to deal with the legacy issues of underinvestment.
“It is self-evident to each and every one of us that our roads infrastructure is coming under severe pressure.
“It is extremely disappointing that today’s allocation is a decrease and will have a major knock-on effect on the roadworks to be carried out countrywide,” he added.
“Donegal county has one of the top five road networks in the country in terms of mileage but funding never reflects that reality.
“Whilst the funding allocated today will go some way in improving the roads listed, a greater number of roads and communities will be greatly disappointed with the allocation as it does not deal with the roads in their respective areas throughout the county.”
While he welcomed the investment, Pat the Cope said it ‘falls far short of our expectation and basic need’.
He continued: “The road grants announced today cover all county and regional roads improvements and maintenance of all roads right throughout Donegal, further to that the grants announced today cover bridge restoration and safety improvement measures in the county.
“Whilst I welcome today’s announcement it falls far short of our expectation and basic need in order to maintain the county’s roads network and infrastructure,” he added.
“The grants today shows minimal real term reduction on 2018 outturn figures once inflation and wages costs are factored in, as a greater number than ever of these works are being carried out through contract works – the department needs to get real when allocating funding to counties which have serious infrastructure deficits .
“Using today’s rate of increase of funding, it will take years in order to bring the majority of the roads in the county up to standard.
Concluding, Pat the Cope said additional resources must be obtained for Donegal roads in order to maintain the vast road network within the county.
“We have a backdrop of under-investment on our roads network between 2011 and present – further investment will be needed and an accelerated investment programme on our roads will be required on a multiannual basis and therefore I request the Department to make an additional announcement of resources for Donegal in the course of 2019 from internal savings.
“It is difficult to see when the additional capital investment sanctioned in budget 2019 is to be seen in today’s allocation by this current government.”
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