Vol. 535 No. 1
383 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans he has to establish a strategic fund for the upgrading of national secondary roads and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11357/01]
The national development plan and the economic and social infrastructure operational programme provides for a total investment of £4.7 billion – 1999 prices – over the period 2000-06 in the national road network and sets out a strategic framework for the improvement and maintenance of national primary and secondary roads over that period. In relation to national secondary routes the NDP, and the economic and social infrastructure operational programme, provide that the investment in these roads will concentrate on routes which are of particular importance to economic development including links and cross country connections to the strategic corridors, roads serving key ports, airports, industry and multipurpose roads.
The National Roads Authority – NRA – is now pursuing, within this strategic framework and in conjunction with the relevant local authorities, the detailed programming of the work involved and the planning, design and implementation of individual projects.
