The total completion of the roads programme in the National Development Plan will be delayed by four years according to the National Roads Authority (NRA) which launched it annual report today.
While the bulk of the programme will be completed by 2008 a "few minor projects" may not be finished until 2010. Under the NDP, the roads programme was due to be completed by 2006.
Head of corporate affairs at the NRA, Mr Michael Egan explained that the delays could be attributed to land owners seeking higher compensation for loss of land and High Court actions taken by groups or individuals opposed to road-building because of archaeological and environmental reasons. Such actions caused the delay of a year of 35 schemes according to Mr Egan.
No schemes were started in 2002, but, this year seven new schemes will commence, thirteen will be completed and another 16 are waiting to be started.
The latest estimates suggest the entire cost of the programme has risen to €15.7 billion from €9.18 billion since the NDP was devised in 1999. However, Mr Egan said that he did not expect the budget for the programme to increase again.
He said if the Government's plan to introduce compulsory purchase orders on lands were to come to fruition, then lands could be purchased at lower prices and that this would offset against the cost of construction inflation. Inflation in roads construction now runs at five per cent following a peak of 15 per cent in 2001.
The NRA launched its annual report today.