Tipp funding ‘a kick in the backside’

Councillors say vital works on footpaths, road repairs and the development of cycle lanes in towns and villages throughout Tipperary will be negatively impacted by what one termed a “drastic reduction” in a funding stream allocated by central government.

Speaking at the February meeting of Tipperary County Council, Cllr Andy Moloney said this year’s allocation of €4.63 million under the Active Travel scheme to Tipperary County Council is “a kick in the backside” to the local authority.

He said plans in his own area of Cahir to upgrade footpaths and roads would be negatively impacted by the lower than expected allocation, and other towns and villages in the county would be similarly “let down” due to the reduction in funding.

Cllr Marie Murphy said this year’s allocation under the scheme was down €2.8 million on what the council was allocated last year, and therefore it was inevitable that planned works around the county would have to be stalled.

Cllr Máirín McGrath said she was very disappointed with the allocation. People in her area of Cahir were depending on a higher allocation to get vital works done in the town.

Cllr Ann Marie Ryan said the council received an allocation of €7.4 million under the Active Travel scheme in 2022 compared to an allocation of €4.6 million in the current year. Her own area of Tipperary Town had not received “one cent” under the scheme this year.

Cllr Sean Ryan said he was very disappointed with the allocation as funds were vital to provide cycle lanes for children going to school and were aimed at reducing carbon emissions. His own area of Thurles had received “a very low allocation” this year. The council had received one of the highest allocations under Active Travel last year and had spent every penny of the €7.4 million on improving villages and towns.

‘DIRT TRACKS’

Echoing concerns expressed earlier by Cllr Ger Darcy, Cllr Michael Fitzgerald said funds were badly needed for rural roads and laneways serving houses. Some of these routes were now turning into “dirt tracks” for want of improvement works. Lots of roads in mountainous areas were being washed away by heavy rainfall. The council needed to try to get special funding from the government to fund the worst roads that had not received any improvements for years.

Council Director Marcus O’ Connor said the allocation to Tipperary under Active Travel in the current year of €4.63 million compared with €6.6 million allocated to the county last year. “We are disappointed by the allocation this year, but we intend to look for more money.”

He said it was likely some other councils would not spend their full allocation of Active Travel funds and because of this more money could yet come back to Tipperary before the year’s end.