Fine Gael Cork South Central Deputy, Jerry Buttimer, has welcomed the 2012 road allocation grants for Cork City and County Councils. Deputy Buttimer confirmed that under the 2012 allocations, Cork City Council is being granted €4,293,795 and Cork County Council will receive €45,330,750 for road maintenance, improvements and strategic developments.
“The funding announced by Minister Varadkar will enable both Cork City and County Councils to undertake significant projects on local roads. The funding is available for work in 2012 and it is important that the Councils are make every effort to use these grants this year, as they will be of considerable benefit to residents and businesses across the city and county.
“In the city €600,000 is being provided for substantive capital works on Barrack Street and a further €140,000 is being made available for smaller, low-cost safety improvement works at Clontarf Street/Lower Oliver Plunkett Street, South Main Street/Washington Street, Clashduv Road.
“Cork County Council is to receive €2.9 million for important strategic projects. This includes €1.5 million for Carrigaline Western Relief Road, €1 million for Clarkes Hill Moneygourney Road and €450,000 for the Cork Technology Park at Bishopstown.
“These specific projects will significantly benefit local residents and businesses. In the city, Barrack Street needs significant works to cater for the large volume of traffic that uses it each day. The residents of Clarkes Hill and Mount Oval will benefit from the improvements to the Clarkes Hill Moneygourney Road and these grants should enable the Council to improve the condition of the road which has been of serious concern to residents for some time.
“Nationally, the amount made available for rehabilitation and maintenance of pavements has been increased by €15 million compared to the initial 2011 allocation. As well as this funding, the Minister previously secured €60 million for labour intensive improvements as part of the Jobs Initiative.
“It is important that when selecting projects to be included in grant allocations that we carefully choose those which will have the most significant impact on local communities and also to local employment. The Minister and his department have worked closely with the NRA relying on proposals from local authorities to decide which projects should be awarded the limited funding.”