Call to finish 800m stretch of road sat in Carlow Town for over 15 years
Carlow County Councils February meeting took place earlier this week
Councillor Fergal Browne called on Carlow County Council to complete the N80 road between Eire Óg and the Blackbog Road.
The road has recently transferred into the possession of the council yet there is still an 800m section missing.
Cllr. Brown stated that on this section of road there has been 'a lot of anti-social behaviour because it's not being used.'
Brown said: 'This needs to be fast tracked.'
Councillor John Cassin stated: 'I fully support the motion. Traffic in town is making it impossible to get from one end to the other. This road has been sat there for over fifteen years and it's still sat there.'
Councillor Tom O'Neill said: 'This is badly needed to reduce congestion in the town.'
Cllr. Will Paton quizzed the council on whether a loan will be precured for the outer-relief road in Tullow if a loan is approved for the 800m in Carlow Town.
Coilín O'Reilly, Chief Executive of Carlow County Council, stated: 'Funding is not an issue currently so it would be premature to look for a loan now. We have a meeting scheduled for 26th February and after the meeting we will be able to provide a more accurate timeline for the development.'
Coilín continued, 'I appreciate the frustration but there's no magic wand. Have patience. We'll come back with an update.'
The motion, standing in the names of Cllr. Fergal Browne and Cllr. Tom O'Neill, 'That Carlow County Council secure a loan to complete the section of road (circa 800m) from the Wexford Road Roundabout (N80) to the already almost completed road from Éire Óg/ Blackbog Road which has only recently been assigned to Carlow County Council following years of legal dispute' was withdrawn to allow time for the council to come back with an update.