Communities asked to cough up part of the costs to have their roads fixed

Bad stretches of road around County Galway will be prioritised by the county council … but only if locals cough up twenty per cent of the cost.

For roads to be resurfaced under the hugely popular Community Involvement Scheme, a significant local contribution will be required. This is the subject of intense criticism on the basis that the public are already paying motor tax and property tax and they should not be hit with another bill.

The scheme has been used a lot by local communities for eliminating bends or providing footpaths. In these cases it is often the situation that the Council get the land free of charge to carry out such works, making it more cost effective.

But it is unprecedented to come to householders looking for money to carry out road repairs or resurfacing.

Cllr Sean Canney described it as outrageous that communities should have to dig into their own pockets to have the road outside their house resurfaced.

He took issue with the fact that those communities who do come up with the money will be given preferential treatment.

Cllr Canney has criticised the Department responsible for changing the emphasis on Community Involvement Schemes, creating a further charge on people who require existing County Council roads to be resurfaced.

See full story in this week’s new-look, compact Connacht Tribune.