asked the Minister for Local Government if he will give the present number of cars in the Dublin region; whether any estimates are available of the number in 1980; and whether there are any plans to meet this situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Car Statistics.
41.
The number of private cars registered in the Dublin area, i.e., Dublin County, Dublin County Borough, and the Borough of Dún Laoghaire on 10th August, 1968, was 101,266. I have no official estimate for the number of vehicles in the area in 1980, but various studies undertaken indicate that there will be a substantial increase over today's figure.
The preparation of plans is primarily a matter for the local authorities concerned. However, I would like to make the following comments. In the light of the problems presented by increasing traffic in the Dublin area, it is clear that in the short-term the most effective measures will result from the maximum use of modern traffic management techniques in order to get the optimum use from the existing street system; indeed such measures will always play a significant part in dealing with the traffic problems of an urban area like Dublin. A number of interests are involved in the preparation and operation of traffic management measures, and to ensure coordination a standing committee representing these interests keeps all proposals to improve traffic flow in the city under constant review. Proposals being implemented or considered include, in addition to the extension of the clearway system to all radial routes, extensions and modifications of oneway street systems, the provision of integrated systems of traffic signals in the central city area, the provision of further off-street parking facilities, and the introduction of new forms of parking control.
A long-term solution, based on the provision of a modern, efficient road network, must largely await decisions on studies already completed or under way, financial studies and the settlement by the local authorities of planning objectives in their development plans. In the meantime a limited number of useful road reconstructions and improvements are in hands or planned.