About Roads

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 Routes
• National Secondary Routes
• Regional Roads or Regional Main Roads.
• Local Roads (incorporating both county and urban roads)

These are sub-divided into:

• Primary
• Secondary
• Tertiary
   

A Road Schedule and Map is retained by the Council showing the road network in the county.

Speed limits:
Speed limits are stated in km/hr through distinctive road signs throughout the country. These signs are found on every motorway and on major roads and minor roads throughout County Cork and consist of a circular sign with a white background and a red border. The speed limit is shown in the centre of the sign in black numerals (i.e. 30, 40, 60, etc.). There are a total of five different types of speed limits throughout Ireland:
 

• Town and city speed limits (50 km/h)
• National road speed limits (100 km/h)
• Regional and local road speed limits (80 km/h)
• Motorway speed limits (120 km/h)
• Special speed limits (30 km/h or 60 km/h.)

Further informaton on speed limits is available on www.citizensinformation.ie

Public Roads:
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 be declared 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 the Minister must approve any order to abandon a National or Regional road. He in turn must consult with the N.R.A. (National Roads Authority) 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.