asked the Minister for the Environment if he will sanction the provision of traffic signals at the junction of the Newcastle Road and Naas dual carriageway, County Dublin; if he will allocate the necessary money to upgrade College Lane, Rathcoole; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - County Dublin Roads.
109.
The provision of traffic lights is a matter for the local authority concerned acting at the request of or with the consent of the Garda Commissioner. The cost of traffic management measures, such as the provision of traffic lights, normally falls to be met from the block grant for roads allocated annually by the Department.
Because of the number of serious traffic accidents in this area, it is considered that the most appropriate medium term solution would be to provide a grade-separated interchange between the Rathcoole and Saggart junctions on the Naas Road. This would eliminate the need for traffic lights and facilitate the closure of the median along this stretch of road. The timing of construction of such a scheme has been considered in the context of the preparation of a draft blueprint for road development which has just been completed. I will be making a statement relating to the blueprint shortly.
The traffic management measures which were undertaken in 1987 at the junction of Tay Lane are considered to be an appropriate interim solution.
As College Lane is a county road, any proposals for its improvement would be a matter for the local authority. I understand that the local authority propose to carry out strengthening works on College Lane in the current year on foot of the 1988 county road strengthening grant allocated by my Department.
110.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he has received representations from Dublin County Council for the provision of a 10 feet wall alongside the Western Parkway motorway where it passes the Monksfield/Woodford areas of Clondalkin, Dublin 22; if he will sanction the provision of this wall to alleviate the fears of the local residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The boundary treatment scheme submitted by Dublin County Council and approved by my Department provides for a 6 foot high concrete block wall at this location. Proposals have now been received from the local authority for the provision of a 10 foot boundary wall at the location in question. These proposals are under consideration at present.