Transport « Thurles Information

Michael Lowry TD Calls For Rural Road Funding

Independent TD Michael Lowry, has requested that all Tipperary’s newly elected TD’s unite to ensure that necessary future funding for rural roads be made an immediate priority for the 32nd Dáil.

Lowry

Deputy Lowry has stated, “The Rural Road Network throughout county Tipperary is crumbling. The principle factor is the lack of investment and continuous decrease in monies made available to local County Councils. The National Roads Fund decreased from €608 million in 2008 to a current figure of €294 million. In 2011 both North and South Tipperary got a total of €45 million for roads. In 2015 this had fallen to €28 million, with a further €3 million of reductions this year.

This decrease in funding has had a huge negative impact on rural communities, with many of our roads becoming extremely hazardous. Daily struggles are arising for rural school buses, and other essential service providers. In many cases these erosive conditions are creating obstacle courses which are bordering on the impassable. Drivers find themselves in dangerous situations where they are forced to drive erratically to avoid deepening potholes. Each day my office receives countless complaints from vehicle owners, where their vehicles are being damaged, tyres have been ripped off and issues are arising with steering and suspension, brought about by potholes which rapidly merge to form giant craters.

The people of Tipperary are extremely frustrated with this outgoing government and justifiably point out that as citizen’s they pay heavy car taxes, numerous charges and levies, yet the horrendous state of rural roads tolerated on a day-to-day basis in Tipperary would never be permitted to exist in our capital city. It is evident that this current administration continues to cultivate a two track society; one which offers fast urban centres, while rural Ireland is permitted to remain abandoned.

I have spoken to the CEO of Tipperary County Council, requesting that an inventory of all roads, which need repair and replacement works right across the county, be immediately established and should include reasonable estimates for all repairs and refurbishments.
I will work alongside my elected colleagues, in seeking the appropriate funding for this crisis, while exerting my influence on the introduction of a proper roads network program into the future. I have also requested that the management of the council ensure that they get satisfactory value and return for all money spent, while all future work practices remain up to a recognised standard, using quality material and ensuring proper road drainage is put in place.

The total neglect of our rural roads now requires urgent attention and the present scenario of drastically reduced infrastructural funding must be immediately reversed,” concluded Deputy Lowry.

Man Dies In Single Vehicle Crash On M8

garda crest A man, understood to be in his 40’s, has died following a single vehicle collision on the M8, Cork/Dublin motorway between Cashel and Horse & Jockey.

The accident happened shortly after 6:00pm last evening, leaving a section of the motorway closed for examination by forensic collision investigators this morning.

The accident victim was pronounced dead at the scene by members of the emergency services attending.

This recent accident now brings to three the number of people who have lost their lives on Tipperary roads since the start of this year.

Car Passenger Killed Near Roscrea Tipperary

Garda It is with regret we report that the male passenger of a motor vehicle lost his life overnight in a two-car collision here in Co. Tipperary.

The accident is understood to have occurred at Tullaskeagh, close to Roscrea at around 7.30pm yesterday.

The man, who was aged 37, suffered serious injuries when the vehicle in which he was travelling was in a collision with a second car.

The victim was rushed to University Hospital Limerick where he was pronounced dead. A post mortem is expected to take place.

The driver of the car, who is understood to be in his early 70’s, and three occupants of a second car, all male, were also taken to University Hospital Limerick. It is understood that the latter suffered no known serious injury.

The R445 West bound carriageway, (the old N7) was closed at the Knock Road junction, Tullaskeagh to assist inspection by the Garda Forensic Collision Investigation team and diversions were put in place.

Nenagh Gardaí are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to contact Nenagh Garda Station on Tel: 067 50450; the Garda Confidential Line on Tel: 1800 666111 or indeed any Garda Station.

Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam dílis.

Female Pedestrian Dies In Tipperary Collision

garda crest We regret to report that a female pedestrian has died, having being struck by a van here in Co. Tipperary.

We understand that a 39-year-old woman, who was living locally, but not from the area, was struck by the vehicle while walking on a minor road in the Moynead Cross to Shanballyduff Road area, approximately 11km north east of Thurles, at approximately 4:10pm this afternoon.

The victim was pronounced dead at the accident scene and her body was removed to the morgue at Limerick Regional Hospital.

The 55-year-old male driver of the van was not injured in the crash.

The road was closed to facilitate a Garda forensic collision examination and traffic diversions were put in place. The road is expected to remain closed until later tomorrow morning.

Witnesses to the collision are asked to contact Thurles Garda Station Tel: (0504) 25100 or the Garda Confidential Line Tel: 1800 666 111, or indeed any Garda station.

The name of the unfortunate victim is being withheld until family have been notified.

Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam dílis.

Flooding – Lowry Accuses Government Of ‘Crisis Panic’.

Flood

Independent TD Deputy Michael Lowry has described the decision by the present Government not to proceed with a ‘statutory single waterways authority’ as simply disastrous. The government has instead set up a ‘co-ordination group’ to implement flood management infrastructure.

Deputy Lowry stated: “The setting up of a ‘co-ordination group’ instead of a ‘statutory single waterways authority’ is a formula for future confusion with regards to actual day-to-day management of Ireland’s rivers and waterways. For whatever reason best known to this Government, they appear to have panicked under the pressure of recent criticisms regarding their slow response to the unanticipated flooding crisis. In making this decision to set up a ‘co-ordination group’ they have guaranteed that any disagreements between state agencies and other bodies into the future, will only lead to long delays in almost all attempted implementation of future flood prevention measures.”

Lowry welcomed the decision to include aid under the Fodder Replacement Scheme together with Humanitarian Aid and Hardship Recognition assistance.

Lowry stated; “It is now essential that all fodder damaged through flooding be urgently replaced and that the Hardship Recognition Scheme should take into account not just the damage caused to farm buildings but also deflated farm income suffered in association”.

Deputy Lowry acknowledged the magnificent and professional work undertaken by community services, general staff and management at Tipperary County Council.

“I have now contacted Tipperary County Council in relation to recent flooding and the general repairs and works urgently required in mending drains, ditches and culverts as well as roads and bridges across Tipperary. I have insisted that I be kept fully informed of any reports or proposed future works that are to be carried out on all roads, which I have examined and listed. Requests have been forwarded on to the necessary personnel with the instruction that issues be investigated on behalf of residents. It is now essential that Tipperary Co. Council seek funding from Government for all necessary emergency repairs”, concluded TD Lowry.