Transcript Roadex Presentation Oslo DAFM Ireland

Irish Forest Roads Update
ROADEX Partnership Network
Dr Robert Leonard
Agricultural Inspector - Engineering
5th April 2016
Forestry in Ireland
Forest Cover 10.5%
Total Area 740,000 ha
46% Private
> 20,000 forest owners have
received grant aid to establish
forests
€2.3 billion contribution to GDP
12,000 people employed
260,000 ha grant aided forest
Continued Government support
€113.8 m in 2016
Forest Road and Afforestation Activity
• Forestry Activity 2009 – 2015
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Afforestation (ha)
6,648
8,314
6,653
6,652
6,252
6,156
6,293
Grant Aided Roads
(km)
129
99
116
81
83
87
65
• Forecast Activity 2015 – 2020
Scheme
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
TOTAL
Afforestation, ha
6,000
6,660
7,140
7,205
8,115
8,290
43,410
Forest Roads (km)
110
110
110
110
125
125
690
Grant Scheme (VTP/CTI)
• Variable Tyre Pressure Scheme
– Budget to be decided
– Grant rate of 40%
– Will Launch within next few months
– Drive and trailer axles to be equipped with tyre
inflation equipment, steering axle optional.
• Auto inflation to be required – linked to vehicle speed
• Be able to link to GPS system
• Maxi or twin tyres only
Preferred / Agreed Routes
• System in early stages of development
• Pilot project undertaken – report being
prepared
• Data to underpin route development collected
• Visual assessment data obtained – roads
• Forest Cover data set available
• Will be linked to felling licence
Forest Road Junctions
• New Technical Standard for junctions between
forest roads and public roads, detailing:
– Junction Locations,
– Sightlines,
– Bellmouths,
– Drainage.
• Technical Standard, Grant Scheme and Agreed
Routes all part of package around timber
haulage – only three of multiple elements
Forest Road Management
Challenges
•
•
•
•
•
Small forest blocks.
Pressure on cost.
Need to maintain construction standards.
Forest road drainage.
Multiple small operators.
– 8 ha – average afforestation block in 2014
– >17,000 private owners