asked the Minister for Local Government whether, in view of the extreme congestion of traffic at Butt Bridge, he is prepared to recommend to the local authority that some immediate action should be taken to relieve the unnecessary inconvenience caused at this very busy traffic centre.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Traffic at Butt Bridge.
The relief of the congestion referred to, in so far as traffic control can effect it, is primarily a matter for the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána and, in so far as possible engineering works are concerned, a matter for the Dublin Corporation and the Dublin Port and Docks Board. Proposals affecting the Butt Bridge area which are being considered are the construction of a new road from Amiens Street to the quay east of the Custom House and the construction of a new bridge over the Liffey east of Butt Bridge. In connection with these proposals, an origin and destination census of traffic using Butt Bridge was taken last year and the results are under examination by the corporation. The authorities concerned are willing to consider any suggestion that may be forthcoming to give early relief to this traffic congestion, but there appears to be little hope of an immediate or inexpensive remedy.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that if anyone were to spend even 15 minutes at any of the peak hours at Butt Bridge, there would be no necessity to talk about a census of traffic? Could the Parliamentary Secretary inform us as to what possible date he would fix by which the examination of the proposals would have been completed, and if there is any indication as to the period of time that would elapse between the examination of the proposals and the carrying of them into execution?
I have not the slightest idea. It is entirely a matter for the corporation, who originated the taking of this census and who, in conjunction with the Port and Docks Board, have been discussing the construction of a bridge or the construction of approach roads to this bridge. So far, we have not taken any steps in this respect. Further action in connection with the building of a new bridge was deferred until the census which was taken last year was considered.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say if proposals were submitted to his Department?
No, not recently. There have been a lot of negotiations and discussions over the past 15 or 16 years. These were either withdrawn or deferred. We are now awaiting new proposals from the Corporation.