Written Answers - Road Network.
Denis Naughten
Question:
119
Mr. Naughten
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
if he will ensure that funding is provided to upgrade the N5 national primary route, which is currently excluded from the national development plan, in view of the restriction this lack of funding is putting on industrial development, tourism and the development of the rural economy in the western region; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13424/01]
Denis Naughten
Question:
127
Mr. Naughten
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
if he will ensure that funding is provided to upgrade the N5 national primary route, which is currently excluded from the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13422/01]
Denis Naughten
Question:
128
Mr. Naughten
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
if the national development plan investment in the national primary road network has been rural proofed in line with Government policy; his views on whether the exclusion of the N5 runs contrary to this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13423/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 119, 127 and 128 together.
The National Development Plan 2000-2006, together with the community support framework and the economic and social infrastructure operational programme, form the strategic policy context for the improvement of the national road infrastructure to 2006. The National Roads Authority – NRA – has to promote within this framework the detailed programming of the work required by the plan and to manage, in co-operation with local authorities and the private sector in the context of public private partnerships, the planning, design and implementation of individual road development projects. The national development plan provides for major improvement works to be carried out on the N5. With the exception of specified major inter-urban routes to be developed to motorway or high quality dual carriageway standard, the road improvement works, including type of road, to be undertaken under the NDP will be a matter for the NRA and local authorities concerned, having regard to current and projected traffic volumes.
The need for the development of new routes to augment those mentioned in the plan, will be evaluated over the period to 2006. Where the need for a new route is established, funding will be provided for the advance planning and design of the route in the plan period, with a view to bringing the project to construction within an appropriate time frame. In accordance with the White Paper on Rural Development, the proposals for the improvement of the national road network contained in the national development plan and the economic and social Infrastructure operational programme had regard to their likely impact on rural communities.
Question No. 120 answered with Question No. 118.
Eamon Gilmore
Question:
121
Mr. Gilmore
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
when he will announce a tertiary roads grant for 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13361/01]
Eamon Gilmore
Question:
122
Mr. Gilmore
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
if his attention has been drawn to the state of many estate roads in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown; the tertiary roads grant which he intends to provide to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13362/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 122 together.
Allocations for 2001 in relation to the non-national roads programme, which amount in total to a record £322 million, were fully made to all local authorities. It is a matter for individual local authorities to select particular tertiary and other road lengths for improvement or maintenance under these general allocations. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has benefited considerably from the significantly increased funding available in recent years for non-national roads. The council's 2001 non-national road grant allocation is £12.631 million, an increase of 162% over total payments to it in 2000. I am satisfied that this level of funding, supplemented by the council's own resources, is appropriate to its current and ongoing needs in the non-national roads area.
