Vol. 543 No. 2
563 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the progress to date in regard to the achievement of the objectives identified in the national plan in respect of the roads development programme; if, on the basis of the performance to date, he expects to remain on target for the duration of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26977/01]
The NDP provides for a total investment of £4.7 billion, in 1999 prices, in national road improvement and maintenance between 2000 and 2006, a threefold increase on expenditure between 1994 and 1999. The NDP sets out a strategic framework for the development of the national roads network over the coming seven years. It is a matter for the NRA, within the NDP framework, to promote 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.
Good progress is being maintained with the development of the national roads network as mandated in the NDP, including on five key inter-urban routes. A number of important projects have been completed this year, including the M1 between Dunleer and Dundalk, the M50 southern cross route, the Croom bypass, N20, the Kilmacthomas bypass, N25, and the Blackpool bypass, N20. Further projects are expected to open to traffic in 2001, including phase one of the N17 Claremorris development and the project in Ballycarthy, N21.
Some difficulties are being experienced in the roll-out of the roads programme, particularly in relation to land acquisition issues. I am anxious that difficulties associated with these issues should be overcome in the shortest possible timescale in order to facilitate achievement of the ambitious road improvement targets set out in the NDP. To this end, high level talks are continuing between representatives of my Department and the farming community.
