Protected Routes - Definition and Policy Justification

The Department has a long established policy of restricting access onto the main roads that facilitate the efficient movement of traffic over long distances in Northern Ireland. These roads contribute significantly to economic prosperity by providing efficient links between all the main towns, airports and seaports, and with the Republic of Ireland. The roads onto which this policy of access control is exercised are known as 'Protected Routes' and comprise: • primary routes; • routes between the principal town in each District and/or cross border; • routes to ports and airports; and • selected routes with high traffic flows.