Merger efficiencies would benefit area’s infrastructure

The National Roads Authority is closely involved with both Cork City and Cork County Councils in regards to the national road network, and related planning and land use matters.

The Government intends transferring the functions of the Railway Procurement Agency to the authority late this year, forming what will be called Transport Infrastructure Ireland, so we are likely to also be involved with the councils on public transportation matters.

Our analysis illustrates both councils are affected by almost any major development on the national road network in the city or county, and that the operation of the network is, in turn, affected by decisions made by both Councils in relation to planning and land use.

Notwithstanding the existence of the CASP structure, the city and the county have from time to time differing and conflicting views on planning and land use matters.

As a national authority, we have to balance national strategic interests and local interests in the carrying out of our work, and that task is considerably more difficult when there are two official bodies representing the local interests, and they disagree with one another.

The level of recent and planned investment in national roads in Cork City and county runs to billions of euro, so any failure to obtain maximum benefits from this investment, and to retain and protect those benefits, has a high cost.

Traffic congestion is a growing problem in both the city and county, and if not addressed will inhibit economic growth as well as degrade the quality of life.

Despite local planning policies related to modal shift and public transportation, the two administrative areas have yet to make significant progress towards reducing what is an exceptionally high level of care dependency. While this is not entirely due to differing viewpoints or priorities between the two councils, it is likely that a unified administration might be more successful in this regard.

There would be benefits in terms of greater efficiency from the amalgamation, such as reduced administrative cost and better co-ordination in relation to traffic management, speed limits, signage, health and safety management of works and processing of payments.

Consequently, we would like to express our support for the amalgamation of the city and county councils.

It is our view that a single unified administrative authority would lead to savings, better efficiency and effectiveness, particularly in the delivery of services associated with major road infrastructure, as well as maintenance and local improvements, in the region of Cork.

Cormac O’Rourke is chair of the National Roads Authority