For some time a group of concerned individuals have been lobbying Wexford County Council for improvements to the Carnew to Gorey road, (R725), where seven fatal accidents have taken place, in addition to a long list of non-fatal accidents, and now Senator Michael D’Arcy is calling for funding to be invested in making this busy road safer.

Sen. D’Arcy was speaking after last Wednesday’s Government announcement that a major investment of €100 million in a school building and road improvement programme will become available as part of the ‘Investing in Infrastructure and Jobs’ package.

“This announcement is obviously to be welcomed and I am proposing that a portion of this new fund is used on the Carnew-Gorey road, (R725), between Ballyellis cross and Craanford, approximately 7 kms,” said Sen. D’Arcy, who added, “This is one of the most dangerous short stretches of road in the country and there have been seven fatal accidents here in the past 15 years alone.”

This €100 million fund is earmarked primarily for the replacement or refurbishment of 18 primary schools and 10 post-primary schools.

Sen. D’Arcy said; “I believe that our principal concern must be that our children arrive safely to school first.

“This dangerous road is used daily by children attending Gorey Community School, (1,700 pupils), Colaiste Bhride Secondary School in Carnew, (800 pupils), and four other national schools in the area, and knowing this road as I do, the people who will primarily gain from this potential investment are the kids and their parents travelling on it every day.”

Sen. D’Arcy has been assured that the Government will move quickly to the tender and building process and he will strongly urge that the Carnew-Gorey road is included.

Full story this week in THE GOREY ECHO.