Safety Improvement Scheme funding for Sligo should be ‘doubled or trebled’

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Elected members of Sligo County Council were in agreement with regard a motion calling for a significant increase in funding to be allocated under the Safety Improvement Scheme with councillors in agreement that a letter should be written to Minister of Transport Darragh O’Brien with regard to the matter.

In his motion, Cllr Thomas Healy said, “The allocation of €370,000 does not address the needs of the county.”

Addressing the December monthly meeting Cllr Healy noted that there are 10 or 11 projects every year that would be worthy of funding but the current allocation does not allow for this saying, “If it was doubled or trebled it would be used in the area.”

Cllr Thomas Walsh also spoke in favour of the motion noting the allocation “Hasn’t increased over the last six or seven years.” Cllr Walsh pointed out that with inflation and the increased costs associated with labour and materials the costs associated with these projects are increasing year on year.

Cllr Walsh added, “These schemes still have to pass road safety audits. We need to at least double this budget. These schemes are small but of critical importance. This figure isn’t substantive enough.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.