Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 June 2011
193 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm that he will not implement a toll system on the road linking the Rathnew and Arklow, County Wicklow, bypasses. [15963/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual national road schemes are matters for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
In particular, 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).
The "National Roads Traffic Management Study" published recently together with other work being undertaken by the NRA will help inform consideration of future tolling options. However, to date no decisions have been made in relation to future tolling strategy.
194 Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to issue new best practice documents relating to the repair of non-national roads in view of the fact that the last documents issued were the Guidelines on the Depth of Overlay to be used on Non-National Roads in May 1999 and the Guidelines on the Rehabilitation of Roads over Peat issued in May 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15972/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Guidelines mentioned by the Deputy are still relevant to the repair of regional and local roads. I would also point out that following Guidelines have also been issued:
Guidelines for the Opening, Backfilling and Reinstatement of Trenches in Public Roads — April 2002;
Traffic Management Guidelines — 2003;
Work Methodologies on Non-National Roads — March 2004;
Guidelines for Road Drainage — April 2004;
IAT Guidelines on Surface Dressing in Ireland — February 2007;
NRA Specification for Roadworks — January 2009;
Guidance for the Control and Management of Traffic at Roadworks — 2010.
I have no plans to issue any further best practice documents at this time.
