Council feels pinch of inflation on roadworks

IMPACT Rising cost of oil hits materials and services

Work has begun on the vast majority of projects earmarked for investment in the Cavan-Belturbet Municipal District area Road Works Programme 2022 and elsewhere. However, the rising cost of oil and the impact on materials and services is something about which the local authority must be “very aware”.

Only two projects in the MD have not yet started - both of which are in Cavan Town.

Along with plans to resurface the road on Wolfe Tone Street after major water infrastructure upgrades were carried out, the council plans to carry out road reconstruction on Church Street and James Connolly Street.

Senior engineer Paul Mulligan said works are being carried out at present in several other areas - R200 at Altinure (15% complete); on the L6507 Race Lane to the former Barracks (20%); L-1045 at Fartrin (20%); the L-1048 from Clontygrigny to Ardlougher (15%); L-1018 Knockranny-Sralahan known as the Commas Road; and between Scrabby and Tawnagh L-5028 (15%).

The council is also conducting works on the R197 Corporation Lands to Cororod, outside of Belturbet between Clonoosey to Sugarloaf (20%).

Separately, work is almost complete on the extension of a footpath along the L-1534 at Butlersbridge, while drainage has been carried out on the R200 at Altinure, on the R-197 Drumalee Road near Belturbet, and along the Reask Lane, L-6507 between Pollamore Far and Corglass.

Drainage works have also been carried out at the junctions with the L-5061 at Ardlougher and in advance of surface dressing planned for the L-10331 Gowlagh South, Bawnboy and the L-6514 Gallon Road, Corraweelis.

Blind summit

Fine Gael’s Madeleine Argue asked were there any plans to deal with a “blind summit” on the road in relation to the Corraweelis project but was told funding only stretched to cover the proposed works.

Fianna Fáil’s Sean Smith probed whether inflation had impacted the road works programme for the year. He said he was aware the cost of some materials had “doubled in price”. Mr Mulligan stated it had. The cost of concrete for instance had rise to above €100 per cube, and the price of many other materials was directly attached to the increase in cost of oil and oil-based products internationally.

“Everything is linked to the price of oil,” he said. “It is something we have to be very aware of.”