Michael Creed
Question:66 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for the Environment the role he envisages for local authorities in the construction and maintenance of national primary routes with the advent of the National Roads Authority.
Written Answers. - Road Construction and Maintenance.
Local authorities will continue to carry out virtually all of their existing functions in relation to national roads — acting on behalf of the National Roads Authority and under its supervision. In effect, the National Roads Authority will take over the strategic management and day-to-day supervision of the national roads programme from my Department.
Local authorities will retain power to acquire land for national roads. They will normally prepare designs and carry out works themselves or enter into road works contracts on behalf of the National Roads Authority.
Flexibility is, however, given to the National Roads Authority to enable it to carry out works itself where it decides that it would be more convenient, expeditious, effective or economical to do so.