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29/01/2009
Cross Border Project Escapes Cuts In Roads' Spending
While there is to be a massive drop in roads' spending across the Irish Republic, the Dublin government has confirmed that it will continue its investment in road building in Northern Ireland.
Some €400m has already been committed to upgrade the approaches to the Irish border.
This is despite news yesterday that just one new national road building scheme will start construction this year in the Republic.
Under a much-reduced €1.44 billion national roads allocation budget for 2009, only the Castleisland bypass in Co Kerry will join 16 other major road schemes currently under construction with a total length of just under 500 kilometres.
Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey said that significant savings on tendering prices and early completions had provided the money to press ahead with the Castleisland scheme this year, but warned there was little more cash in the kitty.
He said that a number of projects are being "rescheduled" including the N5 bypass of Longford; the N25 Carrigtwohill to Midleton road in Co Cork; the N18 Gort to Oranmore road; the reconstruction of Newlands Cross in south Dublin.
He also revealed that there is no provision for the Leinster outer orbital motorway.
Funding will be allocated to finance 315 projects throughout the country, including Phase 1 and 3 of the M50 between the Ballymount and Blanchardstown Junctions.
The overall allocation announced yesterday represents an average investment of €120 million per month in Ireland's national roads. It is being made under the Transport 21 Programme and the National Development Plan.
"This government is committed to progressing projects that will maintain employment and underpin our economic development," he commented.
The news comes against a background of funding agreed for Northern Ireland road building schemes.
In 2007 the Irish government offered £400m to the Northern Ireland Executive to be used for the upgrade of the A5 between the Irish border near Aughnacloy and Londonderry, and the A8 between Newtownabbey and Larne.
In November 2007 the NI Executive announced that they would proceed with both schemes at a total cost of £660m.
(BMcC/JM)
Some €400m has already been committed to upgrade the approaches to the Irish border.
This is despite news yesterday that just one new national road building scheme will start construction this year in the Republic.
Under a much-reduced €1.44 billion national roads allocation budget for 2009, only the Castleisland bypass in Co Kerry will join 16 other major road schemes currently under construction with a total length of just under 500 kilometres.
Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey said that significant savings on tendering prices and early completions had provided the money to press ahead with the Castleisland scheme this year, but warned there was little more cash in the kitty.
He said that a number of projects are being "rescheduled" including the N5 bypass of Longford; the N25 Carrigtwohill to Midleton road in Co Cork; the N18 Gort to Oranmore road; the reconstruction of Newlands Cross in south Dublin.
He also revealed that there is no provision for the Leinster outer orbital motorway.
Funding will be allocated to finance 315 projects throughout the country, including Phase 1 and 3 of the M50 between the Ballymount and Blanchardstown Junctions.
The overall allocation announced yesterday represents an average investment of €120 million per month in Ireland's national roads. It is being made under the Transport 21 Programme and the National Development Plan.
"This government is committed to progressing projects that will maintain employment and underpin our economic development," he commented.
The news comes against a background of funding agreed for Northern Ireland road building schemes.
In 2007 the Irish government offered £400m to the Northern Ireland Executive to be used for the upgrade of the A5 between the Irish border near Aughnacloy and Londonderry, and the A8 between Newtownabbey and Larne.
In November 2007 the NI Executive announced that they would proceed with both schemes at a total cost of £660m.
(BMcC/JM)
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Figures released today by the Department of the Environment have revealed that road deaths in Northern Ireland last year were at the lowest level in 50 years. The total number of road deaths in 2005 totalled 136, the lowest number since 1952 when 133 people lost their lives at at time when there was one eighth of the number of vehicles on the road.
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Figures released today by the Department of the Environment have revealed that road deaths in Northern Ireland last year were at the lowest level in 50 years. The total number of road deaths in 2005 totalled 136, the lowest number since 1952 when 133 people lost their lives at at time when there was one eighth of the number of vehicles on the road.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:All parts will have a dry day. A lot of cloud expected through the day. A little brightness breaking through at times along the coast. Maximum temperature 16 °C.Tonight:This evening will be dry. The rest of the night will remain dry with variable amounts of cloud and some clear periods. Light southwesterly winds. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
