A Tipperary TD has criticised 'limited funding' for the proposed upgrade of the N24 Cahir to Waterford road upgrade.
Speaking in the Dail yesterday, Independent TD for Tipperary South, Mattie McGrath said that Tipperary and Kilkenny County Councils have been 'left in limbo'.
He says that no funding was received by Kilkenny Council and that there is 'great disappointment' in the locality.
"There is great disappointment in both Tipperary County Council and Kilkenny County Council, which is the lead authority, in respect of the motorway and the upgrade of the N24 road project from Limerick to Waterford. While some limited funding was received to progress the Cahir to Limerick Junction stretch, no funding was received by Kilkenny County Council, which is the lead on it, to progress the project. Its consultants have been appointed but the council has been very much left in limbo with regard to further payments to these consultants and progressing this project."
Deputy McGrath says there is a great anxiety among road users who commute on the 'below standard' road. He says the proposed infrastructure will be vital in the context of Brexit.
"This is a very important piece of infrastructure to connect Foynes, Limerick and right on to Rosslare, especially with Brexit. It is very disappointing that no funding had been given to progress the work, not the physical work but the preparatory work, with consultants and all of the design work, from Cahir to Waterford. There is great anxiety in the council but also among the daily road users who find this road very dangerous, with many accidents and it is below standard."
Response
In response, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar thanked the Deputy for his question - but noted that he would refer the query back to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) & The Minister for Transport and the Environment, Eamon Ryan TD.
