Annual Budget 2009 - Roscommon County Council

Division B | Roads, Transportation and Safety
B
B01
B02
B03
Road Transport and Safety
National Primary Road – Maintenance and Improvement
National Secondary Road – Maintenance and Improvement
Regional Road – Improvement and Maintenance
B04 Local Road – Maintenance and Improvement
The Council has not yet received notifications of road grants for 2009 from the Department of Transport for nonnational
roads or from the National Roads Authority for national roads. The figures included in the Draft Budget for
2009 are therefore in line with the grants received in 2008.
The total amount provided for, falls far short of the monies required for the proper maintenance, repair and ongoing
needs of the road network as highlighted in previous years. The shortfall in the allocation for the maintenance of
both local and regional roads over many years has resulted in a reduced level of maintenance. Some essential
elements of maintenance including drainage, verge trimming and the renewal of signs and markings have been
inadequately funded.
The continued funding for the improvement of local and regional roads by way of the multi-annual restoration
programmes is particularly welcome. Since their inception in 1996 the restoration programmes for non-national
roads has resulted in a substantial improvement in the condition of these roads. It is estimated that in 2008, 59km
of regional roads and 291 km of local roads had the surfaces reconstructed, restored or surface dressed under the
programme.
The current multi-annual road restoration programme continues until 2010.
The Specific Improvement Grant Scheme for improvement works on non-national roads continued in 2008. Six
projects were constructed from an allocation of €2,600,000. To qualify for funding under the scheme, projects have
to make a significant and justifiable economic impact, particularly in relation to the development of industrial,
tourism, agriculture, forestry and rural development projects.
Non-National Roads – Own Resources
Even in the difficult budgetary situation for 2009, it is considered important to sustain a certain level of investment
in the Non-National Roads and it is therefore proposed to increase the allocation for 2009 by €57,000.
Footpaths and Public Lighting on Non-national Roads
It is proposed to supplement the grant allocation for footpaths and to provide any additional public lighting on nonnational
roads, as in 2008, through the Council’s own resources.
National Road Improvement Works (Capital Projects)
The Council has sought funding from the National Roads Authority for the following projects in 2009:
N5:
Ballaghaderreen Bypass
Tibohine to Bumlin Strategic Corridor
Rathcroghan westwards; overlay
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Roscommon County Council | Comhairle Chontae Ros Comain | Adopted Budget 2009 | For year ended 31st December 2009