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Road Network

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2021

Wednesday, 13 January 2021

Ceisteanna (153)

David Stanton

Ceist:

153. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport the criteria used by his Department to consider the reclassification of roads to national road status; the roads that have been considered for and granted or refused reclassification to national road status for the period 2015 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1069/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The classification of roads as either a national road or a regional road is the responsibility of the Minister under section 10 of the Roads Act, 1993, as amended.  A public road, other than one classified by the Minister as a national road or a regional road, is a local road.

The 1993 legislation also provides that where a public road which has been classified as a national or regional road has been realigned or bypassed the section of the pre-existing road which remains following the realignment or bypass becomes a local road unless reclassified by the Minister.

Roads classified as National Primary or National Secondary are funded by the State and construction, improvement and maintenance works are overseen by TII, in conjunction with the relevant local authority, and funded mainly from voted monies.  Roads classified as Regional or Local roads fall under the responsibility of local authorities. The construction, repair and maintenance of these roads is funded by local authorities’ own resources supplemented by State grants.

Requests to classify a road as a national road or regional road are considered, in consultation with TII as appropriate.  Criteria for consideration are numerous and include items such as function of road including access to towns and Cities, ports and airports, geographical regions, population centres and tourist regions.  It also includes considerations of continuity of classification throughout the length of road, whether roads are feeder connections or links to the National road network, cross section, alignment and structural integrity as well as amount of heavy commercial vehicles.   

In the period 2015 to 2020, requests have been received in relation to the reclassification of the following roads as national roads:

County Council's

Road Number

Road Details

Cork County Council

R586

Bandon to Bantry Road

Cork County Council

R624

Cobh Road

Cork County Council

R630

Midleton to Whitegate Road

Donegal County Council

R232

Laghey to Pettigo

Donegal County Council

R238

Buncrana Fire Station to to Junction with N13 Bridgend

Donegal County Council

R240

Cardonagh to Muff

Donegal County Council

R241

Greencastle Ferry Terminal to Moville and then to Muff

Donegal County Council

R263

Shore Road to Roundabout on Fintragh Road

Longford County Council

L1176

Flancare Link Road

Louth county council

Old N52

Re-classification of old N52

 No decision has been taken to reclassify any of these roads as a national road to date. Further consideration may be given to the issue as part of a future general review of road classifications.

An extension to the N19 in the vicinity of Shannon Airport was classified as a national primary route in 2016. 

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