Written Answers. - Roads Projects.
Bernard Allen
Question:
114
Mr. Allen
asked the
Minister for Transport
the steps being taken to address the delays in the road construction programme provided for in the national development plan especially having regard to warnings that road design teams may have to be laid off due to the delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17563/02]
Bernard Allen
Question:
115
Mr. Allen
asked the
Minister for Transport
if he has informed the National Roads Authority either in writing or verbally that it should slow down the implementation of the roads element of the national development plan.
[17564/02]
Bernard Allen
Question:
143
Mr. Allen
asked the
Minister for Transport
the progress made regarding the implementation of the national roads programme; if his attention has been drawn to claims made by the Construction Industry Federation that the programme was stalled and running out of money; his views on these claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17743/02]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
146
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Transport
the extent to which he expects his Department to achieve the targets set in the national development plan in respect of roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17850/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 114, 115, 143 and 146 together.
The national development plan sets out a strategic framework for the development of national roads and provides for investment of €6.75 billion in national road improvements over the period 2000-06.
It is a matter for the NRA, within the NDP framework and available funding, to promote the detailed programming of the work required and to manage, in co-operation with local authorities, the planning, design and implementation of individual road development projects. I have not requested the NRA to slow down its activities in this regard.
I am aware that the Construction Industry Federation has expressed concerns about progress in relation to the national roads programme. It is clear, however, that good progress has been made with the development of the national roads network as mandated in the NDP, including on the five key inter-urban routes. Some 15 major schemes, involving 106 km of roadway were completed in 2001, including such major projects as Dunleer-Dundalk – M1; Southern Cross Route – M50; Croom bypass – N20; Kilmacthomas bypass – N25 and Blackpool bypass – N20.
Over €1 billion, the highest allocation ever, and nearly twice the level of funding in 1999, is being provided to the NRA in 2002 for the improvement and maintenance of national roads. This year work is under way, or has been completed, on over 20 major projects with a combined length of over 200 kms, including the M1-N1 – Cloghran-Balbriggan and Drogheda bypass Dublin port tunnel, N4 – Celbridge Interchange, N7 – Kildare bypass, Watergrasshill bypass, Limerick southern ring road – N17 Knock-Claremorris phase II – N18 – Newmarket-on-Fergus bypass – N22 – Ballincollig bypass – N25 – Youghal bypass – and on the M50 – south eastern motorway.
Good progress has also been made in the roll out of the NRAs PPP programme and four projects – Kilcock-Kinnegad, Waterford city bypass, Dundalk western bypass and Fermoy bypass – are at tender stage. The NRA is also examining the scope for extension of its PPP programme.
It is acknowledged that the cost of the national roads programme has increased for a range of reasons, including land costs and construction cost inflation, and that the benefits of substantial capital allocations to NDP projects by Government have consequently been eroded to an extent. However, I am pleased to note that the rate of construction price inflation is now abating, from a peak of 12% per annum over the period 1998 to 2000, to 9% in 2001 and a projected 5% in 2002. I expect that this trend will continue in 2003.
Completion of the NDP programme will be dependent on funding levels and the prevailing budgetary and economic situation over the coming years. The Government is committed, nevertheless, to strong promotion of the NDP national roads programme and to maintaining a high level of investment in the national road network. Already, the funding for national roads in the period 2000-2002 is some 10% in excess of the planned NDP profile.
Bernard Allen
Question:
116
Mr. Allen
asked the
Minister for Transport
if he will make arrangements to have weighbridges for trucks included at appropriate locations on all new major road developments; his views on whether this type of facility would be advantageous; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17580/02]
Under the Road Traffic Act, 1961, the provision and maintenance of weighbridges on roads are matters for the relevant road authorities. With the support of a special programme of grant assistance operated by the Department some years ago, there are currently over 100 appointed weighbridges countrywide which are used by the Garda Síochána to enforce weight regulations made under the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations, 1963-2002. I am not aware of any proposals or requests to increase the number of appointed weighbridges available to the Garda Síochána.
