Vol. 445 No. 6
259 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for the Environment the contributory factors to damage of regional and country roads; the steps, if any, that are being taken to minimise such damage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [830/94]
The volume and nature of road traffic and prevailing weather conditions are the principal factors which affect the condition of non-national roads. Some of these roads traverse poor ground, and there are many cases in which the formation is deficient by modern standards; factors such as these exacerbate damage caused by traffic and weather.
While responsibility for the maintenance and improvement of non-national roads is a matter for local authorities, a record £106.4 million has been provided in grant allocations for the purpose this year; this is an increase of £31.1 million, or 41 per cent, on grant payments in 1993.
