Urgent need for funding for R200 in west Cavan

There is an urgent need for funding to fix and maintain the R200 from Derrynacreeve to Blacklion and Dowra in West Cavan, councillors in the Cavan-Belturbet MD heard at their September meeting.

Following recent significant deterioration and land slippages, MD Chair Cllr John Paul Feeley raised the recurrent issue, which is getting “more and more common” and is fast approaching an “emergency” situation.

The Fianna Fáil councillor described temporary repairs completed in nine locations along the road as “necessary and welcome”, but still stressed that there remains urgent issues that need addressing, including the extent of the damage done to “unstable” and “non-existent” road verges.

The Blacklion native also warned of the impacts of climate change and heavy rainfall on the road, subsoil and surrounding nature.

Understanding the “huge cost” involved, he called for “serious” investment into the realignment of the road - with sections suffering from continued collapses, and highlighted that there is “no alternative” route for road users.

Sinn Féin Cllr Damien Brady supported the motion, adding that rivers can fill up after heavy downpours, which “adds to the problem” and can similarly impact bridges.

The motion was also backed by Fianna Fáil’s Patricia Walsh and Áine Smith, as well as Fine Gael’s Niamh Brady.

Responding, Paul Mulligan, Senior Area Manager, Cavan County Council said he “fully agrees” with the issues raised as there is “one way in and out” of the area, and the “last thing” anyone wants is to find the road there “unpassable”.

He said the road forms part of a climate adaptation project, a rolling scheme that will be undertaken by the local authority, adding that the progression of works are dependent on year-on-year fundin. Lands would also need to be acquired to facilitate realignment works.

In response, Cllr Feeley queried whether costing could be completed on sections.

Urging councillors to be “proactive” in campaigning for such more road funding resources, Mr Mulligan said this is part of a “local problem”, in that the land is “not as easy” and some areas are “not great”, and consequently, it would take a “lot of rock” to build and stabilise the road.