Cracks grow in roads programme

Date Published: 07-May-2009

ROAD rage of a very different nature is expected across Galway over the coming months as the state of the rural highways and byways is expected to deteriorate rapidly.

Motorists are already counting the cost of damage to tyres and the body of their cars as potholes become increasingly larger. And there was even a case in the Athenry area when twelve motorists within a ten day period suffered burst tyres because of the extent of the potholes.

Rather than motorists getting angry with each other over driving behaviour, they are expected to turn their rage on Galway County Council over the rapidly deteriorating condition of some of the roads.

Even in towns like Tuam, Ballinasloe and Gort, the condition of the streets and approach roads have been the subject of much criticism from motorists because of their uneven and potholed surfaces.

The fact that almost €10 million has been slashed from the county’s roads budget means that only a limited and infrequent amount of work can be done to maintain the roads.

In many cases, road improvement projects have been abandoned despite…