Road Network
Under the Roads Act 1993, public roads are classified as National, Regional or Local. The Minister for Environment and Local Government is empowered to declare roads to be national or regional roads. The remaining roads are local roads.
National Roads have been sub-divided into National Primary and National Secondary Routes. Regional roads are also referred to as Regional Main Roads. Local roads incorporate both county and urban roads.
These are sub-divided into primary, secondary and tertiary. A Road Schedule and Map is retained by the Council showing the road network in the county.
Length of North Tipperary Public Road Network
National Primary - 68km
National Secondary - 105km
Regional Roads - 357km
Local - 2231km
Total - 2761km
Public Road
A Public Road means a road over which a public right of way exists and the responsibility for the maintenance of which lies on a road authority.
To declare a road public
The road must be of general public utility and a public right of way must exist over the road. The road authority must consider the financial implications of taking on responsibility for an additional public road and must consider any objections or representations made by the public. Roads built by a local authority are held to be public roads when their construction is intended for use by the general public. Therefore, unless the road authority decides otherwise, all roads constructed by it automatically become public roads thus eliminating the need for a formal declaration process.
To abandon a public road
The power to abandon local roads is devolved to the Local authority but any order to abandon a national or regional road must be approved by the minister. He in turn must consult with the N.R.A. before making a decision affecting a national road. Once a road has been abandoned the road authority is no longer responsible for its maintenance but the abandonment does not affect the public right of way over the road which continues to exist.
Extinguish a Public Right of Way
This power is devolved to the elected members subject to the approval of the Minister where the extinguishment applies over a national or regional road. In the case of a national road the minister must consult with the NRA.
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