Sinn Féin TD for Waterford, Conor D. McGuinness, has welcomed the launch of the public consultation on safety and transport improvements to the N25 between Midleton and Youghal, but said the announcement lays bare the Government’s failure to invest in the equally critical stretch of the road through County Waterford.

Deputy McGuinness said the consultation is positive news for the region and for the many people from Waterford who travel the N25 to and from Cork every day.

“But while the Government is moving ahead with meaningful improvements in East Cork, it continues to turn its back on Waterford.

“The N25 through our county has been neglected for years. Despite repeated warnings, repeated calls for action and countless collisions, no meaningful funding has been provided to improve safety. Waterford has been left with little more than token resurfacing works on isolated sections while the real problems are ignored.

“That is simply not good enough.”

Deputy McGuinness said the N25 through Waterford is widely recognised as one of the most dangerous stretches of national road in the State.

“Anyone who drives this road regularly knows how dangerous it can be. Families, commuters, hauliers and businesses rely on this route every single day, yet Government has failed to give it the priority it deserves.

“If this level of neglect existed elsewhere, there would quite rightly be public outrage.”

Deputy McGuinness said investment in East Cork demonstrates that progress is possible where political will exists.

“I’m pleased to see this project advancing, but Waterford cannot continue to be left behind. Road users here deserve the same commitment to safety as those in neighbouring counties.

“I will continue to press the Minister in the Dáil, work with local communities and stakeholders, and fight for the funding needed to deliver proper engineered safety improvements on the N25 through Waterford.

“The solution is not complicated. The Government needs to make the N25 in Waterford a priority, allocate the funding and get on with delivering the safety upgrades that people have been waiting far too long to see.”