Report of the Local Government Efficiency Review Group

10.2 Roads
10.2.1 The 34 county and city councils are designated as ‘road authorities’ for the
purpose of the construction and maintenance of all national and regional
roads in their administrative areas. In addition, county and city councils have
responsibility for local roads outside of rating town council areas. The 54
rating town councils are roads authorities that are charged with
responsibility for the construction and maintenance of all local roads in their
administrative area.
10.2.2 The responsibilities of local authorities in the roads area are set out
principally in the Roads Acts and include:
• Project management of road schemes / road construction;
• Improvement and maintenance of public roads;
• Road safety initiatives, such as through addressing ‘blackspots’ and
educational campaigns;
• Traffic management;
• Maintenance of public lighting;
• Maintenance of essential services during severe weather conditions;
• Temporary closure of roads; and
• Control of dangerous structures near roads.
10.2.3 Local authority total budgeted current expenditure for roads services in 2010
amount to €919.3 million. According to figures collected by the Department
of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government from local authorities,
in early 2010 the number of staff working in roads services in local
government (including road design, road projects and capital schemes,
network management, and plant and machinery and stores) was
approximately 7,000, accounting for over one-fifth of all local authority staff.
10.2.4 The low density of our population, coupled with dispersed population in rural
areas, means that Ireland has a high dependency on the roads network for
private and commercial transportation. It also has a far larger road network
per capita (in kilometres) to be maintained than most European countries.
National roads account for less than 6% of the total road network, even
though they account for 45% of traffic volume. In contrast, regional roads
make up 12% of the network and local roads 82% of the network – together
regional and local roads carry just 55% of traffic.
10.2.5 The Group considered the possibility of additional tolls on national roads.
This offers a number of advantages in promoting a more efficient and
environmentally-responsible use of Ireland’s national road network and
incentivising private and commercial vehicle users to consider other
transport options. Such a move would also closely align with the National
Climate Change Strategy proposals to introduce fiscal measures to reduce
transport demand and Government policy on environmental charging in
other areas.
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