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rural roads

IFA & RSA ISSUE ROAD SAFETY APPEAL FOR SILAGE SEASON

IFA & RSA ISSUE ROAD SAFETY APPEAL FOR SILAGE SEASON

  • May 25, 2021
  • Rural IrelandUncategorized

With the silage cutting season underway, the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) are appealing to drivers of farming machinery and other road users to share the road safely.

With national travel restrictions now lifted and traffic volumes increasing, the roads are getting much busier. There are more people out walking, cycling, and riding horses on the public road at this time of year, and these activities have also become more popular during the current pandemic.

Both organisations want farming contractors and other drivers to remember this and to always be on the lookout for such vulnerable road users.

IFA President Tim Cullinan said it’s going to be a busy time on farms in the coming weeks as farming contractors bring in silage around the country.

Both the IFA and the RSA are renewing our annual appeal for motorists to be on the lookout for tractors, trailers and other agricultural machinery exiting from fields and farmyards.

“We are also asking anyone driving farm machinery, especially on rural roads, to cut back on their speed, not to get distracted and understand that around every corner could be a neighbouring family or friend out for a walk, a cycle or maybe riding a horse. We all need to expect the unexpected because the road has become an ever-changing environment since the pandemic began.”

Mr. Sam Waide, Chief Executive, RSA, “This is a very busy time of year for farmers. The number of tractors and trailers out using the roads will increase dramatically. I am asking all drivers to be on the lookout for tractors, trailers and other farm machinery on the road. If you are travelling behind farm machinery, please be patient and only overtake when it’s safe to do so”.

“Farmers should be aware of traffic building up behind them and keep left where possible and safe to do so to allow other vehicles pass safely. Travel restrictions have only recently lifted and drivers may be rusty because they haven’t driven much in recent months. It is important that drivers recognise this, pay extra attention to the road and always be on the lookout for other road users.”

 

Drivers of agricultural vehicles are being reminded that they are subject to all road traffic legislation. They are required to carry the appropriate licence and farm vehicles are required to be taxed, insured and must be roadworthy, including fully operational lights front and rear.

 

Farmers are also being reminded of the following safety tips:

  • Plan and prepare for all work with machinery. Always allow adequate time for the job.
  • Always practice the SAFE STOP procedure. Reverse park safely, handbrake on, controls in neutral, lower all attachments, engine off and remove keys!
  • Carry out regular checks and maintenance of all farm vehicles, particularly brakes.
  • Never remove or modify guards in order to save time.
  • Only use machines if you know how to use them safely and have received suitable training.
  • Always drive at a safe speed and know your limits.

Ends

 

For further information please contact;

RSA Communications Office: 096 – 25008

or Brian Farrell, Communications Manager, Road Safety Authority, Tel: 086-3881009

or Niall Madigan, Head of Communications, IFA, 086 – 8228635

 

May 25, 2021

€10.m Allocated for Upgrade Works on Rural Roads & Laneways

€10.m Allocated for Upgrade Works on Rural Roads & Laneways

  • May 18, 2021
  • Rural Ireland

Our Rural Future: Minister Humphreys allocates €10.5 million for upgrade works on rural roads and laneways

  • Funding to improve access to homes, farms and outdoor amenities         
  • Every  county to receive budget increase
  • Minister Humphreys: Supporting connectivity in rural Ireland is vital

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has this week (14 May 2021) announced the allocation of €10.5 million for repairs and improvement works on non-public roads in rural communities.

The funding, announced under the Local Improvement Scheme, will improve access to rural homes and farms, as well as outdoor amenities such as lakes, rivers, mountains and beaches.

The €10.5 million allocation represents a 5% increase compared to 2020, with every county receiving an increase.

Over €68 million has now been invested under the Local Improvement Scheme since it was re-introduced in 2017.

The focus of the scheme is to support the continued improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities but which represent a vital piece of infrastructure for rural residents.

Announcing the €10.5 million in funding, Minister Humphreys said:

“As part of ‘Our Rural Future’, the Government has committed to increasing the level of investment in the repair of non-public roads through the Local Improvement Scheme..

“I am therefore really pleased today to announce a 5% increase in funding under the Local Improvement Scheme.

 “The Local Improvement Scheme is an important source of funding for small non-public roads and laneways leading to homes and farms as well as outdoor amenities such as lakes, rivers, mountains and beaches.

“Since the scheme was re-introduced in 2017, close to 2,400 roads have been funded for repair works. This has made a real difference to the lives of over 10,000 landowners and residents in rural Ireland.”

Minister Humphreys added:

“I know there is a significant demand for funding under the Local Improvement Scheme right across the country. That is why I am today announcing increased funding for every county under the scheme, however, I am acutely aware that more is needed. I am working to identify if additional funding can be provided for LIS in 2021 and I would therefore urge each Local Authority to utilise the funding announced today, and complete the repair works on the selected roads, as soon as possible.

“This would position them well to undertake repairs on additional roads before the end of the year should further funding become available.”

The allocation to each county under the Local Improvement Scheme for 2021 is set out below.

Local Authorities are responsible for identifying and prioritising roads for improvement works under the scheme, in consultation with residents/landowners.

The funding provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development will be complemented by a local financial contribution from landowners/householders, as well as Local Authority resources.

There will be a cap of €1,200 on the amount that any individual householder or landowner will be asked to contribute towards the cost of repairs to their road.

Allocations under the 2021 Local Improvement Scheme

County                      Amount

Carlow                       €270,000

Cavan                        €289,254

Clare                          €500,811

Cork                            €920,000

Donegal                     €697,456

Galway                       €876,959

Kerry                          €689,930

Kildare                       €270,000

Kilkenny                    €308,905

Laois                          €270,000

Leitrim                        €270,000

Limerick                     €404,090

Longford                    €270,000

Louth                          €270,000

Mayo                          €798,496

Meath                         €346,394

Monaghan                 €270,000

Offaly                          €298,871

Roscommon              €375,104

Sligo                           €276,154

Tipperary                   €619,969

Waterford                  €278,802

Westmeath                €276,433

Wexford                     €349,878

Wicklow                     €302,494

Total: €10,500,000

ENDS

Contact:

The Department of Rural and Community Development Press Office

076-1006843 / 087-1734633

[email protected]

 

Notes to editor:

The LIS was reintroduced in September 2017 and over €58 million has already been provided for works on close to 2,400 roads. The additional funding announced today will bring that total to over €68 million.

Eligible Roads

Eligible roads under the Local Improvement Scheme are:

  • non-public roads that provide access to parcels of agricultural land, or provide access for harvesting purposes (including turf or seaweed) for two or more persons.; or
  • Non-public roads leading to important community amenities such as graveyards, beaches, piers, mountains, etc.

Non Eligible Roads

Non-eligible roads include:

  • Roads serving only houses or buildings occupied or used by persons not engaged in Agriculture, and
  • Roads leading to commercial enterprises.

May 18, 2021

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