MAIN ROADS IN IRELAND.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 3 September 1925, Page 10

MAIN ROADS IN IRELAND.

SCHEME TO COST £4,(K)o,r.<X>. ' A comprehensive scheme for the improvement of trunk loads in the Irish Free State has been prepared by the Department of Local Government and Public Health, and awaits only' the sanction of the Minister for Finance. The scheme includes surface improvement, the strengthening of foundations, the removal of dangerous corners, the cutting of hedges and trees causing obstruction, the easing of gradients, and erection of direction

posts. Of the trunk loads in the country it is jiroposed' to bring 1500 miles to a standard giving eight or ten years to road-life. The cost of the scheme will amount to £4,000,000, and is estimated to take about three years to complete.

The total roads in the Free State cover 40,000 miles, of which 8000 may be classed as trunk roads or main roads. The necessary' funds are to be provided out of current revenue. Jt is proposed to restrict "the weight of heavy lorries and probably increase the duty' or tax on these, and possibly instead of increasing the tax on private ears an increased, tax will be imposed on petrol. The scheme is welcomed as a promise of some relief to the unemployed, but it is to be hoped that the improvement of loads will not increase motor t ansport- to such an extent that carriage by rail will be impossible. The i ail ways are in a very' critical condition. The traffic returns for the halfyear on all Irish lines show a loss of ■c. - ).those of the Fre© State alone ■bowing a loss of £323,000.