Vol. 547 No. 1
766 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has received a proposal in relation to the development of the Drogheda cross route from Drogheda Corporation and from the Drogheda Port Company; his views on whether it is important that there should be a relief of heavy traffic from heavy industry and port activity in Drogheda to allow the traffic to proceed to the motorway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1930/02]
The maintenance and improvement of non-national roads in their areas is a matter for individual local authorities to be funded from their own resources supplemented by State grants provided by my Department. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded under the various non-national road grant categories is also a matter for individual local authorities. I have recently announced a non-national road grant allocation of 6.05 million in 2002 to Louth County Council, which represents an increase of 19% on the 2001 payment figure and an increase of 112% on the 1997 payment figure. Drogheda Borough Council was allocated a total of 548,670 for 2002 an increase of 17% on the 2001 payment figure and an increase of 220% on the 1997 payment figure. While Drogheda Borough Council has advised my Department of outline proposals for the Drogheda cross route, otherwise known as the Ballymakenny cross route, neither local authority has submitted an application for funding for this scheme under the EU co-financed specific improvement grants scheme in 2002.
