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Road Network

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2018

Tuesday, 12 June 2018

Questions (1108, 1126, 1127)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

1108. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which he has examined existing road networks throughout the country in both urban and rural areas with a view to the identification of apparent difficulties in respect of capacity and the need to ensure the completion of the national arterial road network thus providing for modern and efficient transport to and from the regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24600/18]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

1126. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which his Department and Transport Infrastructure Ireland continue to examine the locations at which numerous accidents have taken place on minor or major roads including motorways throughout the country with particular reference to the frequency of such accidents with a view to identifying the cause or causes and addressing the issues by way of remedial action as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25679/18]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

1127. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the projected timeframe for the provision of vital major road networks throughout the country both in the commuter belt or elsewhere with a view to maximising access, reduction of delays and alleviation of traffic bottlenecks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25680/18]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1108, 1126 and 1127 together.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and the provision of funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual national road projects is primarily a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

Under the Roads Act 1993 as amended, TII are responsible for the provision of a safe and efficient network of national roads. TII assess the current condition and performance of the national road network on an annual basis considering aspects such as capacity, traffic volumes, level of service, pavement condition, condition of structures and safety. In this context TII continues to map and collate collision data for national roads with a view to informing decisions on safety interventions on the network.

Since 2012 a summary of performance indicators for the national road network is published annually by TII in the National Roads Network Indicators which are available on the TII website www.tii.ie.

The recently published National Development Plan (NDP), which has been developed by Government to underpin the successful implementation of the new National Planning Framework, provides the strategic and financial framework for TII’s national roads programme for the period from 2018 to 2027. The focus of TII’s activities over the coming years is accordingly being directed towards the development of the major national road improvement schemes that are included in the NDP.

As regards regional and local roads, the improvement and maintenance of these roads is the statutory responsibility of local authorities, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants.

It also the role of local authorities as road authorities to examine and monitor road networks within their county boundaries. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.

For completeness, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply in respect of national road matters. I ask that he advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 working days.

The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.

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