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Roads Maintenance Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 June 2013

Wednesday, 19 June 2013

Questions (227)

Dara Murphy

Question:

227. Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current regulations, if any, in force for the reinstatement of damaged road surfaces by county and city councils; if there is a minimum standard set down by his Department for reinstatement; if there are any penalties in place for county and city councils who do not adhere to current best practise; if he will put in place regulations to direct local authorities to not temporarily patch roads except in emergency situations, if they do not already exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29533/13]

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Written answers

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is a statutory function of each road authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993.  The carrying out of works on these roads is a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The selection and prioritisation of road works is also a matter for the local authority.

A number of best practice guidelines have issued to local authorities in relation to the reinstatement of roads. In particular a document entitled "Guidelines for the Opening, Backfilling and Reinstatement of Trenches in Public Roads" outlines the legal framework in respect of road openings and it prescribes standards which should be attained in respect of such works. In addition my Department has been working with local authorities to implement a pavement management system to link pavement distress to treatment options.  I have been encouraging local authorities as the bodies responsible for the maintenance and repair of roads to utilise this system to its full capabilities. 

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