asked the Minister for Local Government what long-term or short-term steps his Department envisage taking to solve the rapidly increasing traffic congestion in city and suburban areas.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Urban Traffic Congestion.
107.
The formulation of measures to ease traffic congestion in city and suburban areas is a matter in the first instance for each local authority concerned. My Department has urged these authorities to proceed with both short and long term plans for urban road improvements, in harmony with their development plans, with the assurance that such funds as can progressively be made available will be applied to the implementation of these plans. To assist them in drawing up road plans to meet current and future needs, a number of urban authorities have had traffic studies carried out by specialist road traffic consultants. The reports on these studies are under consideration by the authorities concerned. A number of recommendations have been or are in the process of being implemented.
In general, action is proposed on a number of fronts. First, priority is given to traffic management measures to secure the maximum use of existing streets. Construction programmes for the improvement of existing street networks are concurrently being planned and where such schemes can be shown to provide worthwhile results in relieving traffic congestion, they will receive special consideration in my Department within the limit of the available resources.