Lack of investment in road network 'comes back and bites you'

The head of the National Roads Authority has expressed concern about part of the road network around the country.

Fred Barry said today that at least €170m should be spent on national, single-carriageway routes.

Potential problems being highlighted include the absence of hard shoulders, flooding on verges and dangerous bends.

Director of consumer affairs with the AA, Conor Faughnan, says road quality suffers when the investment is not made.

"We've been systematically under investing in the road network … since 2009," he said.

"Now, you could argue that we didn't have a choice, but it's one of those short-term savings that comes back and bites you in the long run.

"Roads are not like fine wine, they don't benefit from neglect. You actually have to spend about €600m per annum on Irish roads just to stay where you are."