Road Projects

Wednesday, 12 July 2023

Questions (70)

Pat Buckley

Question:

70. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport if his Department can use powers under section 10 of the Roads Act 1993 as amended to reclassify the R624 N25 to Cobh road in east Cork to a national primary or national secondary route, in order that State funding can be used for the upgrade of construction of a new bridge at Belvelly Bridge, Cobh and also carry out improvement works on the R624 in conjunction with the relevant local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34509/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

As regards to the classification of the R624 Cobh road, Cork County Council submitted an application for funding for a Great Island Connectivity Scheme under the Regional and Local Road Grant Programme operated by my Department. As the current focus is on the appraisal of the scheme under this Programme, a reclassification is not under consideration at present.

Cork County Council was given clearance in the first half of 2021 to proceed to prepare a Strategic Assessment Report (SAR) for a Great Island Connectivity Scheme, in accordance with the then Public Spending Code. In light of the revised Transport Appraisal Framework (TAF) issued by the Department of Transport, the Department will be liaising with the Council on the next steps in the project appraisal process.