‘We will struggle going into the winter,’ warns District Engineer on Thurles roads

District Engineer Thomas Duffy has warned that issues with the road surface on Kickham Street and Slievenamon Road will worsen this winter.

Speaking at last week's sitting of Thurles-Templemore Municipal District Council, Mr Duffy said crews needed to have started the works by now.

“We will struggle going into the winter with these roads,” said Mr Duffy.

Works on the N75 Kickham Street Thurles were due to begin in August. However, it was reported earlier this month that the funding from Transport Infrastructure Ireland had not come through, and so the work would be delayed.

The long-awaited Slievenamnon Road works were scheduled for after the Kickham Street upgrade. Cllr Jim Ryan called the delay a “disgrace.”

He said this was something they announced publically, and the road section did “incredible work” on planning. He said it is not acceptable that the money is not there.

“In an era of record tax intake, how in the name of God can TII say there is no money.”

He went on to say that the Government are “boasting” about what they will do in this year’s budget, but now they have dropped something so “vital” to Thurles.

“Something is very wrong. It’s not good enough, and I don't believe them,” said Cllr Ryan.

Cllr Peggy Ryan called it “scandalous” and said people, particularly those living on Kickham Street, are very upset.

Councillor Sean Ryan said they were “disappointed” about the funding.

“We expected that to go ahead a long long time ago. We need to get an answer from TII,” said Cllr Ryan.