asked the Minister for Local Government if plans have been submitted for (a) the construction of new roads to give a greater and easier traffic flow to and from the port of Dublin and (b) the reconstruction of the main road between Dublin and Bray, County Wicklow.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Roads.
146.
The report of the Dublin transportation study carried out by An Foras Forbartha in cooperation with the authorities concerned gives an outline of a comprehensive programme to deal with transportation problems in the Dublin region, including improved access to the port, and arrangements are being considered for their evaluation and implementation.
Contract documents have been approved for an improvement scheme on the section of the Bray Road from Nutley Park to Booterstown Avenue. Plans for improvement works on other sections are in preparation.
(Cavan): Did the Minister hear the report from CIE that in seven years buses will be travelling at the rate of one mile per hour in the city and that there will be complete and utter chaos unless something is done about it?
I was present at the function when the statement was made.
(Cavan): Does the Minister think it presents a serious problem?
I have not studied the figures on which the assessment was based but I think the gentleman who made this statement has made some studies of the situation and should be in a position to offer some informed comment on the traffic situation in Dublin which I think the House appreciates is not satisfactory. I have expressed my own concern about it. However, it is not something that can be solved overnight. It will involve substantial capital investment but the funds available are not unlimited. This matter is receiving very serious consideration; every avenue is being explored by me and officials of my Department to try to find some means of improving the situation and of allowing for an increase in capital investment in road construction and improvement of roads.
(Cavan): If what this gentleman has reported is correct, will the Minister not agree that immediate steps should be taken in regard to this matter before it gets completely out of hand?
I have explained it is impracticable to suggest that immediate steps can solve the problem. The matter is being treated as urgent and has my full attention.