asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport his transport priorities for Dublin for the next five years, covering the areas of air, sea, rail and road.
Written Answers. - Dublin Transport Priorities.
32.
I am developing measures to meet the transport priorities of Dublin within the framework of the sub-regional plans set out in the National Development Plan 1989-1993. The sub-regional plan for Dublin city and county contains two main transport strands. First, to improve road, bus and rail links within the sub-region and between it and other sub-regions. This objective will be achieved by:
—improvement of the national roads in the Dublin area and of the non-national roads which contribute to economic development;
—provision of a peripheral ring road to link main national routes and facilitate long distance traffic;
—provision of a port access route, which will keep heavy traffic from the centre city;
—improvements in the existing network of public transport services, including the provision of diesel rail commuter services.
The second strand of transport policy for Dublin is to improve the port, shipping and airport infrastructure so as to enhance the Dublin area as one of Ireland's main gateways to the rest of Europe. This objective will be achieved by continued development of Dublin port and airport, including their development as bases for intensive air and sea freight shuttle services to Britain and Continental Europe.
As regards the priorities for the transport areas for which I have responsibility, my priority for air transport is to see the continued expansion of both passenger and freight services by air on a regular, reliable and competitive basis at lowest possible economic cost so as to meet the Government's targets for the development of tourism and export growth. As far as Dublin Airport is concerned, further investment is planned to cater for the huge increases in passenger traffic which are being experienced at present and which are expected to continue over the next five years and beyond. This development will include a major extension to the passenger terminal and new car parking facilities.
As regards sea transport, a major priority is the development of intensive sea freight services from Dublin Port to UK west coast ports to meet demand arising both from national objectives for export growth and completion of the internal market.
With regard to rail and road transport, my priority is to provide adequate, safe and cost effective services to meet the transport demands of the area. Major developments in the medium term will be related to the transport investment plans prepared by CIE which envisage improvements in the commuter diesel rail services and proposals for local suburban bus services, and services connecting suburbs on the periphery of the city. The improvement of rail freight infrastructure links to Dublin Port is also envisaged. Implementation of these plans is linked to the availability of assistance from the EC Structural Funds.
Achievement of these objectives will require substantial expenditure on transport infrastructure by the Government and by the EC over the period of the National Development Plan 1989-1993. The following table summarises expenditure in the Dublin city and county sub-region:
|
Total Expenditure |
Amount put forward for EC support |
Support sought from EC |
|
|
£m |
£m |
£m |
|
|
(i) Roads: National |
190.00 |
170.00 |
121.40 |
|
Non-national |
22.00 |
7.00 |
4.20 |
|
(ii) Rail and Bus |
36.00 |
36.00 |
16.00 |
|
(iii) Access Transport (Sea and air freight, sea ports and airports) |
182.75 |
134.75 |
67.38 |
|
Total |
430.75 |
347.75 |
208.98 |