Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 May 1993

Vol. 430 No. 4

Written Answers. - Athy (Kildare) Inner Relief Road.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

108 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment the extent to which he has received submissions from Kildare County Council and Athy Urban District Council regarding the provision of an inner relief road for Athy; if he will approve the scheme; if the necessary funding is likely to be forthcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. M. Smith):

In September 1978, Kildare County Council submitted outline proposals for an inner relief road in Athy involving the construction of a new bridge over the Barrow and the creation of a one-way system with the existing main street of the town which forms part of national secondary route N78. Since then, the Council has carried out accommodation and drainage works and land acquisition for the scheme and Athy Urban District Council has written to my Department in support of the scheme.

The funding of improvement works on national secondary roads has to be considered in the context of the limited funds available for such works and the competing demands for these funds countrywide. In the light of current demands, it is not possible to provide funding for the Athy scheme at present. Kildare County Council has been so informed.