Road Network

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 May 2011

Tuesday, 3 May 2011

Ceisteanna (619, 620)

Joe Costello

Ceist:

648 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the annual predicted traffic values running through to 2025 from the toll on the Waterford bypass-Suir bridge toll scheme; if the contract between the National Roads Authority and Celtic Roads Group was a revenue share agreement and the amount of revenue which was returned to the NRA by CRG last year; the amount of revenue the NRA expected to receive in 2010 should the predicted levels of traffic be met; the amount CRG received in toll revenues in 2010; the percentage of the predicted traffic on the bridge that the actual traffic on the bridge would have to pass for revenue sharing with the NRA to begin; the percentage share of the tolls that would be shared with the NRA; the NRA’s own forecasts on the amount they are likely to receive by the end of the contract and the way this compares to the returns they could have received if traffic had been as initially predicted in the contract; the NRA’s estimate of the annual excess in revenues received in tolls due to overcharging on the Suir bridge; if a copy of the contract will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9032/11]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Leo Varadkar)

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads are matters for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.   In addition, the statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads is vested in the NRA under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007).  Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the NRA for direct reply. Will he please advise my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.

David Stanton

Ceist:

649 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received a report and final recommendation from Cork County Council for the upgrading of the R624 road including the replacement of the existing bridge at Belvelly Estuary, Great Island, Cobh; his views on same and any action he might take as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9080/11]

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Leo Varadkar)

The maintenance and improvement of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities own resources and are supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of projects to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.

A total of €375,176,000 has been allocated for the maintenance and improvement of regional and local roads in 2011. This year there is an increased focus on directing funding towards repair and maintenance works with over 85% of the grant monies available in 2011 to be spent on such works. In order to increase the monies available for the maintenance and rehabilitation of road pavements, particularly arising from the severe weather, it has been necessary to reduce the grant allocations for major new road schemes and for major realignment schemes.

This National Roads Authority received an application from Cork County Council in September 2010 for 100% funding of the R624 Cobh Road Project at an estimated cost of €57.5 million under the Strategic Regional and Local Roads Programme. The funding available for projects under this grant category in 2011 is €20.1 million (down from €87.5 million in 2008). Given the reduction in the available funding and the list of strategic projects competing for funding (including existing projects with financial commitments) the Department is not, at this time, in a position to make a funding commitment to this project.