Minutes:
Mr Terry McGovern, Senior Engineer welcomed that a total of 2,300 submissions have been received on the Public Consultation on the Carrick to Dromod project. The consultants and sub consultants will be going through every submission and a report will be ready on this in the first quarter of 2022 when it will proceed to Phase 3.
Mr Terry McGovern said the Multi Annual Programs for Road Restoration Improvement Projects are funded through the Restoration Improvement Grant (RIG), from the Department of Transport, which is provided to meet expenditure on surface restoration works, road overlays and road reconstruction works in accordance with the Memorandum on Grants for Regional and Local Roads. The Department has also directed that the multi-year program for 2022, 2023 and 2024 must have an annual budget estimate of 100% of our 2021 Restoration Improvement Grant allocation.
Mr Darragh O’Boyle, Senior Executive Engineer said the projects included must be prioritised across the county taking account of the condition of the pavement (and associated drainage), traffic levels and with an emphasis on early intervention before major structural deterioration of the pavement takes place.
The roads proposed for the program in rural areas should have a Pavement Surface Condition Index (PSCI) rating of between 1 and 6 and those in urban areas to have a rating between 1 and 8 (because surface dressing may not be appropriate in urban areas and alternative materials may have to be used). In addition, Restoration Improvement works on regional roads must account for a minimum of 15% of the total annual expenditure in the list and 85% on local roads. Mr O’Boyle said with the increase in the length of the RIG’s as previously approved this will help to reduce the council’s carbon footprint. Over the 3 year plan the same amount of road coverage will be carried out. Mr O’Boyle said all the representations made by Councillors have been considered in the programme.
Mr Darragh O’Boyle said the RIG is similar to last year and he said the cost of black topping roads in 2021 year was very cheap. This was due to the fact that his staff had put material tenders together in good time, a new supplier entered the market and due to the global availability of bitumen. Mr O’Boyle envisages that black topping will not be as cheap in 2022.
Councillor Enda Stenson queried if there was a ‘Rainy-Day’ fund for emergency works.
Mr Terry McGovern said there was no specific fund, but Leitrim County Council have got funding for catastrophic events in the past.
Mr Darragh O’Boyle said Leitrim County Council can seek funding from the Climate Action fund and in the event of an emergency, funding will come out of local roads funding.
Councillor Finola Armstrong McGuire sought clarification if Leitrim County Council liaise with other Local Authorities in the upkeep of roads.
Mr O’Boyle confirmed that Leitrim County Council do liaise with neighbouring local authorities.
Councillor Sean McGowan said the road from Antfield to Finnalaughta is in poor condition and said he would like to see this road being done this year.
Darragh O’Boyle said there are a lot of private residents on this road, they have work to complete on this stretch before work is done and they have been contacted on numerous occasions in this regard.
Councillor Sean McGowan said L53472 is in poor state. Councillor Thomas Mulligan concurred with Councillor McGowan in this regard and said it is a boggy road and needs work.
Councillor Des Guckian noted the number of submissions received in relation to the extension of the Carrick to Dromod project and said by the number of submissions received demonstrates how people are seriously concerned. Councillor Des Guckian urged the various people who are in charge to thoroughly look at the submissions received. Councillor Des Guckian said a ring road would relieve the problem.
Councillor Des Guckian said he sees the multi annual roads programme as patchwork and he said roads should be surfaced every 10 years and he welcomed that his representations have been considered.
Councillor Des Guckian asked if L1601 old road through Dromod is going to be done.
Mr O’Boyle said if Leitrim County Council get any funding from the TII this road and Drumsna Village will be considered for improvement.
Councillor Enda Stenson paid tribute to the works being undertaken on the Rinnacurren Road.
Mr Darragh O’Boyle, Senior Executive Engineer said the road had collapsed as the subsoil is very poor and it cannot take normal construction traffic. The project is 70 to 80% completed now and recycled tyres have been used in the project which is proving very successful and is a good way of recycling. When the construction of the road is complete it will raise the local road by 1 metre in height. The project is being part funded by a Community Involvement Scheme.
On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Sean McGowan
SECONDED by Cllr Paddy Farrell
It was AGREED to approve the Multi Annual Roads Programme 2022-2024.