Costs 'going through the roof' to hit Laois road repairs

Road repairs look set to be cut back in Laois due to a spike in costs especially the price of bitumen due to the rise in oil prices.

The likelihood that Laois County Council will have to revise its road works plan for 2022 was revealed by a senior council engineer.

County Hall staff had earmarked €4.6 million for various road improvement and repair projects in the Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District area.

Councillors for the district asked if this money would still cover the costs given the rising costs of materials.

 Mr Edmond Kenny, District Engineer, was asked directly by Cllr James Kelly, Independent, if some of the projects would be impacted by rising costs.

“There is a chance,” confirmed the engineer.

He said while diesel and other costs have risen, the price of the main ingredient would have the biggest impact on what is possible within the budget.

“The main ingredient in any of these resurfacing schemes is bitumen. (The price) has gone through the roof,” he said.

He indicated that it will be a few weeks before the council knows for sure what is possible.

Cllr Paddy Bracken, Fianna Fáil, asked if less mileage on road repairs was likely to be completed. He also inquired if more funding would be sought from the Government to compensate for higher prices.

Mr Kenny said the council will know what can be done when the tender replies come in from contractors.

The council envisages spending €2.7 million on local road strengthening projects in south and west Laois. Almost €740,000 is budgeted for surfacing on roads in the district.

Nearly €1 million is earmarked for unspecified minor works and repairs as well as drainage.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland has allocated €300,000 for the Course to Dunmore stretch of the N77 Laois to Kilkenny national route.

Bitumen is a oil by-product.