Road Improvement Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 November 2012

Wednesday, 14 November 2012

Questions (279)

Patrick Nulty

Question:

279. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the closure of Bellewstown Bridge, near Duleek, County Meath; the reason the bridge has been closed; if his attention has been drawn to the inconvenience now being experienced by the local community as a result of the closure of the bridge; if he will make funds available to repair the bridge and the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50310/12]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area, is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993.  Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants.

I understand that following an inspection by Meath County Council it was decided to close this bridge for safety reasons.  I also understand that Meath County Council requested the National Roads Authority (which administers regional and local road grants on behalf of the Department) to transfer funding of €92,000 within its Specific Improvement Grant Allocation for remedial works on this bridge in order for it to reopen as soon as possible and that this transfer request has been approved.