€16.8 million funding for regional and local roads

Almost €17 million has been allocated for for regional and local roads in Cavan and Monaghan.

A package of €9.1 million has been announced for roads in Cavan, an increase of 7.89% on 2016 figures.

Meanwhile, €7.68 million for improvement and maintenance works to regional and local roads in Monaghan has also been announced, an increase of over 7% on last years allocation.

The allocation of €16.8 million will allow for significant improvements to be carried out across a number of local roads.

In Cavan, improvements are to be carried out on main street in Ballyjamesduff, in Drung Village, on the R162 in Shercock town and on part of the R179 from Cabra Castle to Dun Na Rí Forest Park.

In neighbouring Monaghan the allocation will allow for works to be carried out at the R180/R927 junction of the Ballybay/Castleblaney Road, the R181 at Fairtahy Crossroads and the R162 at Drumacruttin School among others.

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys TD welcomed the announcement.

'This funding for roads in Cavan and Monaghan will make a big difference to people and businesses locally,” she said.

Fellow party colleague, Senator Joe O'Reilly was similarly pleased with the level of allocation to the region's roads.

Part of a €324 million national investment programme for regional and local roads in 2017, he said: “This funding is for the local authority to maintain and strengthen our roads here in Cavan. It will also help to stimulate local job creation which is really important to local communities here.”