Government criticised over Wicklow roads funding cut as cost of storm damage mounts
The Wicklow PeopleThe Government’s decision to reduce roads funding to Wicklow County Council has been strongly criticised, with Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady describing the cut as “a disgrace” that will hit motorists across the county hard at a time when road conditions are already deteriorating.
In 2025, Wicklow received €15,202,800 in funding for our regional and local roads. This year that has been reduced to €14,908,200, a cut of €294,600, which is just shy of 2pc.
Deputy Brady believes the cut is unacceptable.
“Despite attempts by Tánaiste Simon Harris to dress Wicklow’s allocation up as something that it is not, the reality on the ground is very different, and it will not be lost on the people who use our roads every day throughout the county. Motorists know the condition their local roads are in. They experience it daily.”
Following the recent storms and prolonged periods of adverse weather, Deputy Brady believes the state of many roads has deteriorated even further.
“Potholes have multiplied, road surfaces have broken down, and in many areas repairs simply have not kept pace with the level of damage being done.
“In some areas, even traffic calming measures such as ramps and speed bumps have deteriorated so badly that they are now themselves a health and safety hazard. Instead of slowing traffic safely, damaged ramps and broken surfaces are creating additional risks for motorists, cyclists, and anyone else using our roads.
"That is completely unacceptable and highlights the scale of the maintenance backlog facing the county.”
The Wicklow TD says the Government should be increasing investment in counties like Wicklow, not cutting it.
“Our population has grown significantly, traffic volumes continue to rise, and the demands on our road network are greater than ever. Yet instead of recognising that reality, Wicklow has been handed a reduction.”
Fine Gael TD for Wicklow Wexford, Brian Brennan has called for an emergency roads funding package to tackle damage inflicted by Storm Chandra.
Deputy Brennan said Storm Chandra has done untold damage throughout Wicklow and Wexford.
“Speaking to officials in both Wicklow and Wexford County Councils, they are working around the clock to firefight the worst of the damage, but it will take some time before they have a full assessment of the total damage.
“However, it is certain that the additional cost of road repairs will run to millions of euros.
“I have spoken directly with Minister Harris on this and he has assured me that the Government is poised and ready to provide an emergency package as required. I have also written to Minister Darragh O’Brien to highlight the urgency of the matter.”
In his correspondence to Minister O’Brien,Mr Brennan outlined that Wicklow County Council do not have sufficient funding to deal with the situation at hand.
“Even without an extreme weather event such as Storm Chandra, both local authorities are playing catch-up with their funding and require significantly more to maintain the roads in my constituency to a basic and safe standard.
“Recent events have only served to exacerbate this issue, with multiple road closures and collapses, potholes that present a significant danger to road users and their vehicles.
“I will continue to press this matter to ensure that this stays a priority, and that appropriate emergency funding is issued as a matter of urgency.”
The substandard state of roads across rural south Wicklow was also a topic of conversation at the latest monthly meeting of Wicklow County Council.
Noting that south Wicklow has been neglected for some time, Cllr Pat Kennedy said that there has been no significant investment in roads in the area.
“I don't believe in bringing things to this chamber that should be brought to the municipal district, but on many occasions, I have brought up the issue of rural roads, and I'm not talking about the roads that were damaged in recent weeks.
“I'm specifically talking about the L6202 in Kilpipe just off the regional road 747. This road is not currently on the roads programme. The road is currently not fit for purpose.
“The school buses refuse to go down that road. I want that road reassessed. It is not just an important road for the residents. It is also an important road for the emergency services. It needs to be looked at, and I am asking for it to be reviewed urgently.”
The road serves the rural civil parish of Kilpipe, which includes townlands such as Ballagh, Coolalug, Coolbawn, and Toberlownagh.
This area is situated south of Tinahely and is characterised by undulating terrain near the Croghan Mountain and the River Derry.
Recent heavy rainfall has exacerbated existing road issues, with many local routes in the Tinahely/Kilpipe area suffering structural damage or becoming hazardous due to half-filled potholes washing out.