Vol. 522 No. 4
36 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if, having regard to the increased volumes of vehicular traffic, including heavy goods vehicles in cities, towns and villages, he will initiate a roads development programme including town and village by-passes, which will ensure the elimination of current traffic chaos within a five year period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18799/00]
The national development plan includes an amount of £4.7 billion for the improvement and maintenance of the national road network in the period 2000 to 2006. This is a threefold increase in the level of investment in national roads provided for in 1994-9. This funding will ensure development by 2006 of the major inter-urban routes to motorway/high quality dual carriageway standard; further major improvements on other national primary routes; and improvement of national secondary roads, with emphasis on routes which are of particular importance to economic and regional development, including links to the strategic corridors, roads serving key ports, airports, tourists areas, industry and multi-purpose roads.
Details of this national roads strategy are set out in the NDP and will be further elaborated on in the operational programme for economic and social infrastructure.
The NDP approach to transport investment is not confined to roads investment. It also provides for substantial investment in public transport. A provision of more than £2 billion for public transport will see major improvements in the major urban areas and in mainline rail.
These measures will, on completion, significantly improve the traffic situation in both urban and rural areas.
