Road Network.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 June 2004

Wednesday, 2 June 2004

Questions (252)

Eamon Ryan

Question:

245 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status the new Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County development plan has with regard to the selection of road projects for further funding; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in the new development plan is a proposal to introduce between the years 2004- 2010 a bypass for Hillcrest Road in Sandyford and that does not include the objective of widening the Hillcrest Road within the same six year road objectives; if his Department will take into account such considerations in allocating funds to the local authority or the National Roads Authority for the development of such road projects; and the measures the Department will take to ensure that such roundabouts and neighbouring infrastructure are designed in a manner that will fit into the roads policy objective as set out in the development plan. [16740/04]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

A local authority development plan must set out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the planning authority's area through the objectives to be included in the plan. The objectives to be provided for are detailed in section 10(2) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 and include objectives with regard to zoning, provision of infrastructure and environmental protection. Any provision of infrastructure, including any road projects, by a local authority must be consistent with the objectives of the development plan.

The selection, development and design of proposals for the improvement of non-national roads in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown is a matter for Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council. Such schemes are funded from the authority's own resources supplemented by grants from my Department. In 2003, my Department sought applications from road authorities for funding under the 2004 EU co-financed specific improvements grant scheme. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council submitted a number of applications but these did not include an application for funding for either a by-pass of Hillcrest Road in Sandyford or for the widening of Hillcrest Road. It is a matter for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to decide if it wishes to prioritise any such project for funding under the EU co-financed scheme in 2005, when applications are sought by my Department, later this year.