Long-awaited repairs around Cortown welcomed but locals claim full road resurfacing is required

Long-awaited repairs around Cortown welcomed but locals claim full road resurfacing is required

Meath County Council carried out major repair works on the Fordstown to Cortown Road last week much to the relief of local residents who have been warning of the dangers of the road for years.

However the residents say the work is only a temporary fix and warn that the road is likely to be in a terrible condition again shortly if full resurfacing does not take place.

“It is 35 years since the road was resurfaced and although potholes get filled in, they appear again within a short time,” said local resident Ciaran O'Brien.

He points out that up until last week's repairs the road was virtually impassable.

“There were potholes everywhere and it was dangerous. Cars were going round bends trying to avoid potholes.

“People have had their cars damaged too, having to replace shocks and springs,” he said.

“There are 14 households living along the road and many others use it travelling between Fordstown and Cortown.

“There are elderly people and young children living here and they cannot go for a walk and you couldn't let the children out to cycle on the road.

“The road is in a good condition now, but we are afraid it will be as bad as ever before long. It needs a full resurfacing,” he said.

Another resident, Angela O’ Brien says that the patching up it received last week was a waste of taxpayers money.

“The road is back to the bare knuckle of its foundations and it is never going to be any better until it is resurfaced.

“We look on enviously when we see other roads around us being resurfaced, but all we get is patching year on year.

“It has been going on far too long. A lot of money has been allocated to roads over the last few years. We feel like second class citizens. There are at least two cars at each hose along the road, paying road tax but where is it going.

“The volume of traffic it carries is unreal but it is not fit for purpose.” Ciaran Hanlon who also lives on the road said he has had to replace shocks and springs on his jeep because of the potholes that appear regularly.

“I've been living here five years and every winter they appear . They are patched up, but they come back again and they are never resurfaced.

“They put gravel in but, it washes out again just as quickly.

“It is incredibly dangerous with cars trying to avoid the potholes. People cannot go out for a walk or cycle to enjoy the countryside because of the danger.

“The entire road needs to be upgraded instead of patchwork. There is a lot of traffic on it between Fordstown and Cortown” he said. A spokesperson for Meath County Council said remedial repairs to the L6836 Volvenstown (Fordstown to Cortown Road) took place last week.