asked the Minister for Local Government if he will consider appointing a single traffic authority to deal exclusively with the control and improvement of Dublin traffic.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Traffic Control.
20.
There is no power under existing legislation by which a single traffic authority for the whole Dublin area could be constituted. A provision which would enable such an authority to be set up is included, however, in the Road Traffic Bill at present before the House. Certain steps have already been taken to coordinate measures necessary to deal with traffic problems in the whole Dublin area. Such measures include the setting up of a standing committee representative of Dublin Corporation, Dublin County Council, Dún Laoghaire Corporation, the Garda Síochána, my Department and CIE. The function of this committee is to ensure co-ordination and speeding up of traffic proposals.
21.
asked the Minister for Local Government whether any examination has been carried out as to the benefits to be derived from the construction of pedestrian subways at busy junctions in central Dublin, both for the safety and convenience of pedestrians themselves and for the relief of traffic congestion; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Dublin Corporation have from time to time considered the question of providing pedestrian subways at locations in central Dublin. No plans or specific proposals in the matter have, however, been submitted to my Department. In 1962 in reply to an enquiry from the Corporation the then Minister for Local Government stated that he would be prepared to agree in principle to meeting out of the Corporation's road fund allocations expenditure on the provision of suitably designed pedestrian subways at places where the need for them could be clearly established judged by the following criteria:—
(1) that pedestrian traffic at the particular place could not adequately be accommodated when vehicular traffic was halted in the normal course of traffic control;
(2) that the subway would be provided at the site most likely to be effective and would fit in with other proposals for the improvement of traffic flow in the area, and
(3) that the use of the subway by pedestrians would not be so tedious as to render surface crossings preferable to the pedestrians.
Recently, while considering a specific project the Corporation were advised that it is doubtful if they have legal power to provide a pedestrian subway. The preparation of legislation necessary to give this power is being considered.
22.
asked the Minister for Local Government whether he has received proposals relating to the installation of traffic lights at both ends of O'Connell Bridge, Dublin; and if he will state the present position in the matter.
Approval in principle was conveyed by my Department to Dublin Corporation's proposal for the provision of an integrated system of traffic lights at Westmoreland Street-O'Connell Bridge-O'Connell Street. Technical details of the proposed installation are at present being settled between officials of the Corporation and my Department.
23.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will arrange for travel agencies and private car hire concerns transporting tourists to and from city hotels to be permitted to pick up and set down passengers outside hotels located in the new clearway areas.
The making of bye-laws or temporary rules regarding the operation of clearways is a matter primarily for the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána. I understand that the Commissioner would not favour the granting of a concession such as the Deputy has in mind.
24.
asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that many traders in traditional business areas have suffered loss to their business as a result of changes in the routing of traffic; and whether there is any procedure whereby these traders may look for alteration in traffic regulations which harm their interests.
I am aware that complaints are sometimes made when a street is made one-way.
The present one-way street system is governed by temporary rules made by the Commissioner of the Garda, and persons concerned may raise any matter they wish with him. I have no doubt but that he would also consider any representations made on the subject by the local authority. When the temporary rules come to be replaced by bye-laws, the Commissioner is bound to consult the local authority before making the bye-laws, and the local authority may also make representations to me before I consent to the bye-laws.
25.
asked the Minister for Local Government whether the effect of the introduction of clearways justifies their extension; and whether any improvement in the flow of traffic has been noted as a result of their introduction.
The question of extending clearway restrictions to additional routes in Dublin is a matter for the Garda Commissioner who is empowered under the Road Traffic Act, 1961, to make the necessary bye-laws or temporary rules. Before I gave my consent to the recent extension of the clearway system in Dublin I was satisfied that there had been a considerable improvement in traffic flow on the routes where clearways had already been introduced.