Laois 2023 road funds will be eaten into by price increases

Laois has received nearly the same amount of money from the Department to fix its roads for 2023, but it is effectively a cut in funding because of the sharp rise in road material costs over the past year.

The council is to receive €13,586,290 this year to maintain and improve its 2,500km of roads, fix bridges and mitigate against floods, a slight rise of €136,800 from the 2022 allocation.

However council management had recently warned that they would get through no more than 65% of the works required if the grant was not increased.

Speaking at the January council meeting before the latest allocation was announced by the Department of Transport, Laois County Council Director of Services for Roads Simon Walton predicted the drop in output if the funding did not take into account the rise in prices for energy and building materials.

“If we get the same money in 2023, you'll realise 60 to 65% of the output. Bear that in mind. It is due to the increase in costs. That's the reality of it,” he said.

Almost €7 million is provided for road restoration and improvementworks. Just over a million more is provided for road restoration maintenance.

€1.89m is provided for Discretionary Grants.

There is €324,000 for Safety Improvement projects across the county.

Two are in Abbeyleix at Crookedwood Cross in two phases and on the Ballyroan Road. Others are at Clonard in Mountrath, Tinnahinch in Rosenallis, Ballygauge in Ballacolla, Killenard railway bridge and The Heath Cross.

There will be €410,000 invested for climate change adaptation works, including flood prevention at lakes in Portlaoise housing estates. Details below.

Nine Laois bridges are to receive a total of €535,000 including Woodenbridge in Ballacolla, where the community had campaigned to protect its rare timber structure, and the Boleybeg Bridge in Spink.

Two Laois roads that were downgraded from being N7 and N8 national roads, and had since deteriorated, are getting €650,000 in repairs.

The now titled R445 and R639 roads near the M7 motorway in south Laois were also highlighted by several councillors as urgently needing works.

There is €473,000 provided for road drainage works. Another €319,050 is provided to fund Community Involvement Schemes.

Speed limit signs for housing estates get €15,000 with €42,000 for more speed signs on country roads.

Millions for Laois national roads upkeep but zero for new routes or greenways

The smallest allocation is €2,200 to erect cycling signs.

A PSCI survey is being funded by €17,000. There is a training grant given for €32,000. Specific Improvement schemes are funded by €150,000.

Three Portlaoise housing estates to receive money to prevent flooding

The county's share is out of €626 million for Ireland, announced by the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD on February 14.

The national allocation is up by €29m from the €597m in 2022. Last year Laois was allocated €13,449,496.

Laois County Council spends some of its own budget also on road works.