Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 July 2015
232. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware that the bridge and the road on which it is in Kildangan, County Kildare is frequently used by big and small vehicles but has no path, even though local children are forced to cross over it to go to school; and if he will release emergency funding to Kildare County Council to find a solution before a major accident occurs. [26749/15]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
I understand the bridge in question is a railway bridge in Kildangan, leading on to the R417 regional road. Earlier this year, I announced the 2015 regional and local road allocations, of which Kildare County Council was allocated €200,000 under the Bridge Rehabilitiation Scheme. The bridge at Kildangan was not among the priority list provided by the Council to my Department for funding in 2015. As this is a railway bridge, it is a matter for the local authority to liaise with Irish Rail regarding any necessary works that may be required at this location.
