Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 246: To ask the Minister for Transport if, in view of the high rate of road traffic accidents, he will take action to address the issue of unsafe roads with reference to verge erosion, potholes or other surface deficiencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29789/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The improvement and maintenance of national roads is a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA. The allocation to the NRA for national road improvement has been increased substantially since 1997 and stands at €1.319 billion for 2005. In addition, €53.9 million has been provided for road maintenance in 2005, including the type of road maintenance activities referred to by the Deputy. The allocation of this funding to individual projects is a matter for the NRA.

The NRA, apart from the ongoing upgrading and maintenance of the national road network, including the ongoing pavement restoration programme, which provides a substantial road safety dividend, also funds specific road safety programmes, including the high risk accident location programme, the high cost remedial measures programme, the fitting of crash barriers on motorways and dual carriageways and road safety research.

Since 1994, the NRA, in conjunction with local authorities, has operated a programme where accident locations on the national road network are investigated and, if the road condition is believed to have been a factor, appropriate engineering measures are put in place to improve the situation. On average 80 such locations are treated each year. The high cost remedial measures programme was begun in 2004 and focuses on areas where more expensive works are required to solve the accident problems at particular locations. A total of 12 sites have been targeted in 2005. Median safety barriers are being installed on all new motorways and dual carriageways. The programme of retrofitting barriers to existing motorways and dual carriageways is two thirds complete. This work is expected to be complete by the end of this year.

Funding for road improvements and remedial measures on non-national roads is a matter for the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.