Written Answers. - Dublin Traffic Management.
Róisín Shortall
Question:
131
Ms Shortall
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
the additional proposals he is considering to deal with the chronic traffic situation in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[24792/00]
The DTO policy document, A Platform for Change, which was launched by the Taoiseach on 2 October 2000, sets out a comprehensive integrated strategy to respond to the transportation needs of the greater Dublin area, GDA, in the period to 2016. This strategy document updates and builds substantially on progress achieved under the Dublin Transportation Initiative final report already approved by the Government in 1995.
The revised DTO strategy takes account of fundamental changes in the economy in recent years which have led to increases in population, employment and economic activity which have resulted in traffic growth.
The main elements of the transportation strategy proposed in response to changed circumstances are: a radical transformation in the quality and quantity of public transport services; strategic, but limited improvements to the road network; improved traffic management and control measures; development of a demand management policy to reduce the growth in travel while maintaining economic progress and to encourage modal shifts in favour of public transport; and better integration of land use and transportation planning.
The strategy also offers some preliminary advice, based on Dublin Transportation Office – DTO – experience since 1995, regarding future institutional arrangements for strategic land use and transportation planning and co-ordination in the GDA. Regard will be had to this by the Cabinet committee on infrastructure in its consideration of these issues which is due to be undertaken shortly.
The public transport elements of the strategy aim to cater for approximately 300,000 trips, 70,000 today, in the morning peak hours through an integrated public transport network comprising a much expanded bus network, comprising an integrated mesh of radial and orbital services and a substantial increase in passenger carrying capacity; an improved DART-suburban rail network, including improved passenger carrying capacity on the existing network and the development of more tracks on existing alignments and new rail lines, including an underground interconnector linking Heuston Station with East Wall Junctionvia Pearse Street and docklands; an extension of the on-street light rail network, LUAS; the development of a higher capacity segregated light rail network, METRO; and a package of measures designed to improve the integration and attractiveness of the public transport network, including park and ride facilities, integrated fares and ticketing, quality interchange facilities and improved passenger information.
The roads element of the strategy comprises: completion and upgrading of the orbital motorway, M50, Dublin port tunnel and eastern bypass; upgrading the arterial routes, for example, N1, N2, N3, N4, N7, N11, N81, outside the orbital motorway; upgrading of non-national roads necessary for access to M50, development needs in metropolitan area and development centres and support of public transport.
The traffic management element of the DTO strategy provides for improved traffic signal control on a regional basis, enhanced cycle network and facilities, improved pedestrian facilities, further traffic calming schemes and improved management of heavy goods vehicle traffic.
The strategy identifies traffic demand management as an essential complement to the infrastructure and service improvements proposed and provides for the early development of a demand management strategy addressing,inter alia, possible road user charging, workplace parking control, mobility management schemes, etc.
The total estimated capital cost of the strategy is £14.2 billion and implementation is expected to: result in a high quality public transport service being available to most people within ten minutes walking distance of where they live; increase the share of the market accounted for by public transport from 35% to 65%; reduce congestion; improve accessibility; and result in significant environmental gains, including reductions in energy use and emissions below what they would be otherwise.
I am confident that the comprehensive measures proposed in the strategy will contribute substantially to the alleviation of traffic congestion in the Dublin area.
Question No. 132 taken with Question No. 123.
