Planning & Development: The NRA has examined the motorway network to see which sites are suitable for service stations, but it is not yet willing to divulge these locations, says Tim O'Brien

The National Roads Authority (NRA) is close to issuing a call for property developers to build the authority's first motorway service areas.

The authority is planning a mix of "on line" motorway service areas where motorists can refuel their cars, have a meal and break their journey without leaving the motorway.

These will be complemented by a limited number of "off line" service areas which motorists will leave the motorway to access and which will be developed entirely by the private sector.

In relation to the "on line" service areas, the authority will seek a private sector partner to design, build and operate the service areas.

They are to be modelled on European motorway service areas but located further apart, at distances of about 60kms, reflecting the lower population and traffic volumes in Ireland than on the Continent.

The NRA has carried out a detailed engineering examination of its network to determine the exact locations of its "on line" service areas, the proposed locations of which it is not yet willing to divulge.

The authority is concerned that commitments it gave to traders in towns that have been bypassed, in relation to competition from service areas, would not be broken.

In this way the network examination will start by assessing areas 60kms from Dublin city and then assessing them for distance from nearby towns.

The authority has already received a number of expressions of interest from landowners and developers in the Kildare and Laois areas.

Locations which are about 60kms from Dublin include the Arklow bypass on the N11; north of Carlow on the proposed M9; the Monasterevin bypass on the M7; Kinnegad on the M6; Blundlestown on the proposed M3; the N2 east of Kentstown; and the M1 south of Drogheda.

However, the NRA warned that speculation on the locations should carry a large health warning and that individual locations had yet to be confirmed.

A spokesman for the authority also issued a warning to property developers and planning authorities that the new service stations would not be allowed to become retail parks which attract a volume of traffic which would detract from the effectiveness of the existing motorways.

While the spokesman did not specify such retail centres by name, it is known the authority is disappointed by the effect centres, such as Liffey Valley and Blanchardstown shopping centre, can have on national routes.

The authority is also concerned that planning authorities consider the proximity of a national road to be a point in favour of large-scale retail parks.

The authority says the huge investment in the national roads network could be in danger if planning authorities permit building all along the roads.

"We need to protect the tax-payers' investment in the motorway network and will be making our feelings known to planning authorities where we believe they are permitting too many developments close to national roads," he said.

The NRA is also planning a series of smaller "rest stops" which will be characterised by picnic tables and toilet facilities but not commercial outlets.