Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
963. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the L2455 road upgrade: his plans to fund it; if the NTA has submitted each of its observations to Cork City Council; and if the NTA is awaiting further information from Cork City Council. [9323/20]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority 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. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council.
Before the post 2008 financial crisis, local authorities could apply on a regular basis for grants for Specific or Strategic Improvement Grants for the strengthening, widening or realignment of regional and local roads. However, the extent of the cutbacks in grant funding during the crisis meant these grant schemes had to be curtailed after 2013 because expenditure on maintenance and renewal was falling well short of what was required to adequately maintain the regional and local road network.
Project Ireland 2040 does provide for the gradual build up in funding for the road network but it will take some time yet to reach the level required for the adequate maintenance and renewal of the network. For this reason there is limited scope at present for funding projects under the Specific or Strategic Grant Programme.
Any projects proposed by local authorities for consideration under these Grant Programmes are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects put forward by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Public Spending Code and my Department's Capital Appraisal Framework and it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind. No application in relation to the upgrade of the L2455 has been received for funding under the regional and local road grant programmes.
I understand that there has been interaction between both Cork Councils and the National Transport Authority regarding the design of a road improvement scheme for the L2455 and that the NTA has provided funding in the amount of €100,000 this year to Cork City Council to progress the design of the Lehenaghmore Project. The design team is currently considering alternative designs, requirements for land acquisitions, service diversions and related tasks. The Part 8 planning for the preferred layout is scheduled to progress to Part 8 Planning within the current calendar year with detailed design to follow thereafter, subject to planning and funding approval.
