asked the Minister for Local Government what progress has been made with the reclassification of roads in each local authority area; and what yardstick is being used to determine what is a main road and what is a county road.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Classification of Roads.
64.
Considerable progress has been made in the compilation and analysis of material as a basis for a review of the existing classification of the roads system. A nation-wide census has been made of the volume and composition of traffic on main roads in rural areas. It is hoped to extend this census to county roads soon.
Pending completion of the current traffic census, and analysis of the material collected, it is not possible to anticipate the changes, if any, which may be decided on in the existing classification system.
Under the existing classification, "main" or "trunk and link" roads correspond generally to the roads of greatest importance for through traffic purposes. Other public roads in rural areas are "county roads".
Does the Minister agree that if the yardstick used 30 years ago, when the roads were classified, were to be used today, practically every county road in the country would become a main road? Is he aware of the enormous difference this would make to the ratepayers from the point of view of the maintenance grant?
I do not agree that if the yardstick of the past were to be used now, it would have the effect the Deputy says. I do not think we both have the same yardstick in mind.
Surely the Minister is aware that the closing down of the railways has had, in itself, an enormous effect on the whole traffic pattern?
Yes, but that is not the yardstick used 30 years ago.
What was the yardstick?
It is a lengthy matter. If the Deputy puts down another question, I shall be glad to give the information to him.