Land cost for roads soaring, stats show

THE cost of compulsorily acquiring private land for big road projects has soared over the past few years, according to figures provided by the Department of Transport.

Payments to landowners accounted for 23% of the total roads budget last year compared with 12% in 2000 — the highest percentage of land costs anywhere in Europe for the construction cost of roads.

The State paid €360m in compensation to property owners in 2006 for land needed for projects being overseen by the National Roads Authority (NRA).