Mayo 'road safety' projects delayed due to TII directive on tenders - TD

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has instructed Mayo County Council to withhold planned road improvement tenders unless they receive explicit approval from them.

That's according to Mayo TD Rose Conway-Walsh who stated other local authorities have received a similar directive.

In a parliamentary question to Transport Minister Eamon Ryan, she elaborated: "If this is a recent change in policy, I would like to furnished with details in regard to the rationale, the number of planned projects announced by the government that have yet to be issued for tender and if any tenders have been withdrawn?"

Deputy Conway-Walsh also requested project reports on the Knockatemple pavement scheme, the Liscromwell to Knockanour (Turlough) pavement scheme, Ballina town pavement and Claremorris town pavement.

In reply, Minister Ryan outlined: "Several new national road projects are facing funding pressures in 2024 due to reasons including an increased pace of delivery and land acquisition costs, as well as inflation and increased cost of materials which are higher than when the original estimates were calculated.

"These new national road projects include the N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge project, which is under construction, and the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy and Limerick to Foynes (including Adare Bypass) projects which are approaching construction.

"A number of projects at an earlier stage in the development lifecycle are also affected.

"These important projects are in line with the commitment of government to invest in new national road infrastructure to ensure that all parts of Ireland are connected to each other.

"They will also assist in removing traffic from our towns and villages, creating more liveable communities.

"In order to ensure the continued delivery of these important projects, earlier this year TII proposed to postpone some asset renewal works on the existing network, including work to renew pavement, until 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

"In addition, some Greenways funding will be used to advance active travel infrastructure on the national road network, which would otherwise be funded from the roads budget.

"This will allow funding to be directed to new national road projects. It is important to point out that Safety Improvement Schemes will not be affected by these measures.

"No funding has been withdrawn by my Department from TII this year."