LOCAL AUTHORITY’S “POTHOLE BLITZ” WARMLY WELCOMED BY EMBATTLED COUNCILL

PETER HUGHES

Monaghan Co Council is continuing a programme of targeted road repairs across the county designed to address the deterioration of rural transport routes. The so-called “pothole blitz” was welcomed warmly on Tuesday by the elected members of Monaghan Co Council, the majority of whom are currently on the local election campaign trail and feeling the heat from constituents about the condition of the roads in many areas.

One candidate, outgoing Independent Co Council member Paudge Connolly, told the Northern Standard this week that poor roads were “the hot topic on the doorsteps” for canvassing councillors. Councillor Connolly welcomed the local authority’s maintenance initiative but argued for a more strategic, longterm approach to be adopted to the problem by investment by the Council in a piece of technology called the JCB Pothole Pro, which he said had been very successfully added by Louth Co Council to its road repair armoury. “The Pothole Pro is a real ‘no-brainer’ for Co Monaghan,” said Councillor Connolly. “The upfront cost of around €190,000 would provide a sustainable solution, allowing the Council to fix three years’ worth of potholes in just four months. “The Pothole Pro works by cutting, planing and sweeping the road before filling defects with hot asphalt, ensuring a long-lasting repair. Designed for…