Private Roads Act reformed to support road network development and maintenance

The Private Roads Act of 1963 will be reformed to meet today's needs. The aim is to promote the development and maintenance of the network of private roads. Most of the roads in Finland are private roads.

The legislative proposal aims to increase the power of decision by members of road associations, transfer tasks from the municipal road committees to other operators, and reform the criteria for and the distribution of discretionary government grants for private roads. Another goal is to clarify the responsibilities of different parties with regard to the construction, maintenance and use of private roads and allow municipalities, counties and the State become members in road associations.

"The Private Roads Act gets a much needed update. The aim is to promote new business activities and safeguard smoothly running transport services for business and industry. The reform will also improve the transport conditions for people living on private roads," says Minister of Transport and Communications Anne Berner.

The Government submitted a proposal on a Private Roads Act to Parliament on Thursday, 19 October. The proposal will advance the Government's key project on deregulation and reduce the duties of municipalities. The Government proposes that the Act enter into force on 1 January 2020.