Roads ‘will deteriorate badly if cuts continue’

The national road network could deteriorate badly if cuts to road maintenance budgets are not reversed over the coming years, the head of the National Roads Authority has warned.

NRA chief executive, Fred Barry, admitted the organisation was struggling to properly maintain many key routes due its reduced road maintenance budget of €42m in 2012 and 2013 — down over 14% on 2011 figures.

The NRA fears that if such regular maintenance is not carried out, it will lead to greater demands on its road rehabilitation budget, which also has been slashed by 50% to €100m.