Community scheme could be key to addressing damaged roads across Wexford – ‘we need increased funding for this programme’

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

With Wexford’s roads in a seemingly constant of disrepair and the county council struggling for central funding, calls have been made to expand a programme which allows local residents to work on roads in their areas. At the July meeting of the Wexford County Council (WCC) a motion was submitted, and subsequently passed, by Councillor John Fleming which called for additional funding for the Community Involvement Scheme (CIS).

“I am calling on the Minister for Transport to increase the funding allocation for the CIS,” said Cllr Fleming. “This is a progressive scheme where the local residents become involved in the road preparation works which covers their percentage contribution.”

Under the CIS communities can carry out works on roads which would not normally be included in the council’s main programme. It is subject to funding being made available from the Department of Transport and conditions may change annually in line with the grant conditions set out by the department.

Meanwhile, Cllr Fleming has requested that safety measures be implemented on a dangerous junction in the New Ross district.

“The bend at Ballyanne Bar is so dangerous, there was a bad accident there three months ago, someone was seriously injured,” he said at the New Ross Municipal District meeting. “Could we at ways to slow the traffic there, maybe rumble strips? We have to do something before someone is killed there. It’s an accident waiting to happen.”

Area engineer David Murphy confirmed he would look at the junction in question and conduct a review if one was required.