Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 October 2015
224. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the proposed western bypass of Ardee in County Louth; if the project is shovel-ready with all the required land now in the ownership of Louth County Council; the reason for the non-inclusion of this road in the recent transport capital programme; the expected cost of the road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35022/15]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Decisions on the transport elements of the Capital Plan in the period to 2022 were framed by the conclusions reached in my Department’s Strategic Investment Framework for Land transport. This report highlighted the importance of maintenance and renewal of transport infrastructure together with targeted investments to enhance the existing network through improving connections to seaports, to poorly served regions, to large-scale employment sites, and addressing critical safety issues.
In framing the capital plan choices had to made given the overall funding envelope available and it was not possible to include a range of projects, including the Ardee bypass.
As regards the current position in relation to the Ardee Bypass including land acquisition, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
