'Excellent use' to be made of nearly €19 million for Laois roads

Laois Minister Seán Fleming is looking forward to Laois County Council making excellant use of nearly €19 million for Laois roads after it completes its roadworks plans for 2023.

The Minister of State, Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that €18,860,448 had been allocated by the Government for the improvement and upkeep of roads in Laois for 2023.

The Fianna Fáil TD said this includes €13,586,290 for the improvement and maintenance works on local and regional roads. He added that the Government has since announced a separate further allocation of €5,274,158 to Laois County Council for renewal and improvement works on the National Secondary Routes in the county.

He said the most recent allocation for the National Secondary Routes in the county includes:

• €2,500,000 for the N80 Kyletalesha to Mountmellick Phase 2 works,
• €1,000,000 for the N78 from Ballylehane Lower to Farnans,
• €900,000 for the N77 from Portlaoise to the M7 motorway and also on the N77 €300,000 for works from Course to Dunmore.

"This is a substantial amount provided by taxpayers for the roads in Laois and I know Laois County Council will make excellent use of these funds.

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"I look forward to Laois County Council Management and Elected Members finalising its roads programme for 2023 as soon as possible, to ensure all these works are completed this year," he said.

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The Laois Offaly TD added that the ongoing maintenance and improvement works on the M7 and M8 motorways through the county are funded separately.