Offaly roads under ‘major pressure’ due to ‘abnormal’ vehicles carrying heavy loads

Roads in County Offaly are under “major pressure” due to the number of “abnormal” vehicles carrying heavy loads, the Dáil has heard.

Offaly Fianna Fáil TD Tony McCormack spoke on the subject during a recent ‘Questions on Policy or Legislation’ session.

Deputy McCormack said: “In County Offaly, renewable energy developments are mainly located on peatlands around Rhode, Croghan, Edenderry, Banagher and Cloghan.

“These projects require abnormal load vehicles of up to 135 tonnes on 16-axle trailers.

“The damage caused by one trip of one of these vehicles is equivalent to one year of normal traffic.

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“As a result, these peat-based roads now require annual maintenance, placing major pressure on our local authority roads budget and taking funding away from other roads that also need work.”

He called for extra funding to be given to Offaly County Council so that it could deal with such issues.

“Offaly has historically carried the heaviest load in providing power to this country and we are doing so again through renewable energy.

“We are simply asking for a fair crack of the whip and that separate, dedicated funding be provided to Offaly County Council for these road projects.”

In response to Deputy McCormack, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, said he would pass on the request.

Minister Burke said: “I thank Deputy McCormack for his important intervention relating to Offaly.

“I will raise it with the Minister for Transport, Deputy O'Brien, in connection with the request for additional funding that Deputy McCormack has placed on the House.

“Our road network, particularly in rural counties, is of significant importance to the community.”