Ireland's Transport Minister Noel Dempsey has declared that a total of 294km of national roads are to be new motorway sections.

In accordance with Section 8 of the Roads Act 2007, a public consultation process was undertaken following the receipt of applications from the National Roads Authority (NRA) for the re-designation of certain public roads to motorway status.

Having considered all the submissions received, the Minister said he has decided to declare almost 30 sections of roads, to be motorways including the N2 Dublin to Derry; N3 Dublin to Cavan; N4 Dublin to Sligo; N6 Dublin to Galway; N7 Dublin to Limerick; N8 Dublin to Cork; N11 Dublin to Wexford; and the N20 Cork to Limerick.

-- Advertisement --

"In addition, the designation to motorway status will also serve to protect the route against inappropriate development, including multiple access points, which would have road safety implications and affect the efficiency and service life of the route," said Minister Dempsey.

In line with the provisions of the Act, this Order applies only to dual carriageways that were already built, were under construction or in planning when the Roads Act 2007 was enacted.

(PR/BMcC)