Vol. 546 No. 1
142 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the extent to which he and his Department will fund the provision of bypass or other road networks in various towns, cities and villages throughout the country with a view to reducing the number of heavy goods vehicles in town centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31319/01]
I am aware of the negative impact that heavy goods vehicles can have, particularly in urban areas. For example, the Road Accidents Facts 2000 report, which has been published by the National Roads Authority, and a copy of which is in the Oireachtas Library, shows that 74 of the total of 415 road accident fatalities occurring in that year involved goods vehicles.
Some 90% of freight in Ireland is carried by road. A balanced approach must be adopted, therefore, that takes into account environmental, health and safety issues while at the same time facilitating the movement of goods. Measures are included in the national development plan which will, on completion, significantly improve the traffic situation in both urban and rural areas.
The NDP includes an amount of £4.7 billion – 1999 prices – for the improvement and maintenance of the national road network in the period 2000-06. This is a threefold increase in the level of investment in national roads provided for in 1994-99. This funding will ensure development by 2006 of the major inter-urban routes to motorway-high quality dual carriageway standard, further major improvements on other national primary routes and improvement of national secondary roads, with emphasis on routes which are of particular importance to economic and regional development, including links to the strategic corridors, roads serving key ports, airports, tourists areas, industry and multi-purpose roads.
