asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that on the County Dublin section of the dual carriageway from Dublin to Naas no crossing of the island is permitted for residents living along the road, while in County Kildare each householder is permitted such a crossing; and if he will indicate his willingness to have similar crossings on the County Dublin section.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin-Naas Dual Carriageway Island Crossing.
20.
The approved design for the improvement of this road to dual carriageway standard included provision, in accordance with the appropriate engineering standards for such roads, for openings in the median at existing road junctions, incorporating special lanes to cater for crossing and turning traffic. The route in question is one of the most important arterial roads in the country, and carries very heavy traffic. To permit unrestricted crossing of the median would completely nullify the advantages conferred by a road of this standard, and also create very serious accident hazards. I am not aware that the position in relation to the County Kildare section is as represented by the Deputy, and I am having the matter taken up with the Kildare County Council.
Is the Minister aware that in a number of cases farmers with slow-moving tractors or trailers have to pass their own houses and travel at least a mile to get back to their own farmyards, or perhaps from one farm to another, and that this is causing serious trouble on that stretch of road, especially in view of the fact that just across the Kildare border, they recently put a tarmacadam passway across the island opposite every household from the Kildare border down?
It must have been done extremely recently.
It was provided for originally. This work was sanctioned by the Department. When I raised this matter with the Dublin County Council, they said that this has been approved by the Department.
What has been approved?
The Dublin section which has no crossings except controlled crossings.
That is right.
They will not change it because the plan has been approved by the Minister.
In the computing of compensation paid to various people for the acquisition of their lands, these disturbances and difficulties were element. Since that is so, it does not appear to me that having dealt with it on the one hand, it is open now to deal with it on the other hand.
Is the Minister aware that these people were totally unaware of the fact that these difficulties were going to arise?
I do not agree for a moment that they did not know what was happening. They knew before most of us here knew.
Is there no way in which we can help them?
We could have fly-overs but I am afraid not at every house.