Vol. 524 No. 2
176 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the current position on the development of a train station at Lucan south, County Dublin; the likely location; the facilities that will be provided; the preparatory track work that needs to be carried out; and the timescale for its likely opening. [22176/00]
The National Development Plan 2000-2006 made provision for a short-term strategy for the development of suburban rail in the greater Dublin area. The short-term strategy is focused on maximising the use that can be made of the existing suburban rail network. The programme includes the provision of new stations along the network, including one at Lucan south.
The Dublin suburban rail strategic review, commissioned by CIE in 1999 and completed earlier this year, also confirmed that the provision of a new station at Lucan south is worth implementing.
Iarnród Éireann has confirmed that the proposed new station will be incorporated as part of the overall plan to provide additional tracks between Heuston and Sallins. Consultants are currently engaged in a detailed design of this project. The company has also confirmed that discussions are ongoing with South Dublin County Council and the Dublin Transportation Office regarding the location of the station and the facilities to be provided. The timescale for the development of the station will be dictated by the track project. At this stage it is anticipated that this project will be completed by 2004.
177 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the number of disused railway lines in the country; the lines which are in the ownership of Iarnród Éireann, CIÉ, or other State bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22272/00]
My Department does not maintain a comprehensive list of disused railway lines which are not in the ownership of CIÉ. The following, however, is a list of the lines that are in CIÉ's ownership and their respective mileages:
|
1. |
Cobh Junction to Youghal Line |
20½ |
|
2. |
Waterford to New Ross Line |
15¾ |
|
3. |
Claremorris to Collooney Line |
46¼ |
|
4. |
Tralee to Fenit Line |
8 |
|
5. |
Athlone to Mullingar Line |
27¾ |
|
6. |
North Kerry Line |
53¾ |
|
7. |
Waterford to Dungarvan Line |
27½ |
178 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the plans her Department or CIÉ has for disused railway lines; if she has considered transforming a number of these lines into cycle tracks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22273/00]
The development of cycle tracks is the statutory responsibility of local authorities.
The possible reinstatement of some disused rail tracks for suburban rail services is being considered in the context of urban strategic land use and transportation studies.
The transportation strategy document entitled, A Platform for Change, recently published by the Dublin Transportation Office envisages a rail line from the Maynooth line near Clonsilla via Dunboyne to Navan. The detailed project planning for this proposal will evaluate the possible use of a disused rail alignment.
Work on the Cork strategic plan is ongoing and one of the issues being considered in that study is the possible reinstatement of the disused rail line to Midleton.
179 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the current situation with respect to the DART service to Greystones, County Wicklow; when she expects a full service to be in operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22391/00]
On 10 April 2000, a limited interim service was introduced to Greystones involving five departures in the morning and three arrivals in the evening. This service is currently being supplemented by a bus service between Greystones and Bray.
The introduction of a full service to Greystones has been delayed because it has been linked to ongoing industrial relations difficulties between Iarnród Éireann and the representative unions for DART drivers in relation to a new deal for DART drivers, similar to that reached with locomotive drivers.
Discussions on the Greystones issue have been progressed by Iarnród Éireann through conciliation at the Labour Relations Commission. The possibility of investigation by the Labour Court of the issues concerned is being pursued by the company.
180 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the plans she has to develop the rail services between Dublin and Arklow, County Wicklow. [22392/00]
The National Development Plan 2000-2006 made provision for a short-term strategy for the development of suburban rail in the greater Dublin area. The short-term strategy is focused on maximising the use that can be made of the existing suburban rail network. The programme includes the upgrading of the rail line between Greystones and Arklow at a total cost of £11 million.
The upgrading and resignalling of the line are due to be completed by end 2002. In addition 60 new diesel railcars, some of which will be used to replace the existing rolling stock on the Arklow commuter trains, have been ordered and are due for delivery by end 2002-early 2003.
