I raise the matter of basic road safety as a Deputy for Dublin North who, with many others, has grieved with families affected by road tragedies, particularly those which occurred on the M50 and M1, the Santry bypass. The tragedy of a collision between a jeep which veered off a road and hit a train at Selby in England reminded us again of the need for a thorough assessment of safety standards on newly built primary routes, particularly dual carriageways and motorways.
Having investigated the standards being followed by the National Roads Authority, I have discovered that rather than implementing the EU-sponsored EN 1317 standard adopted by the National Safety Authority the NRA has continued to follow the old British standard specifications which have operated in the United Kingdom for many years. This raises a number of basic issues, safety being the main one. EN 1317 is a five part standard, of which Parts 1 and 2 cover all the design and testing requirements and criteria. Part 3 has been published. The NRA has informed me that Parts 4 and 5 are awaited and that it will not move on implementing EN 1317 until they are published. Meanwhile our EU partners are moving ahead with EN 1317, the most up-to-date and best tested standard to meet the needs of modern society.
I have not met anyone who can tell me about the certification of testing of the old British standard. I have yet to receive a copy of certification of testing. EN 1317 requires a much more sophisticated barrier system appropriate to collision with either a small vehicle, a one tonne family car or a 40 tonne heavy goods vehicle. We should implement this standard. Given that we will debate the Nice Treaty next week, it is ironic that our EU partners on the Continent are operating an EU standard while we continue to operate a British standard which is both outdated and less satisfactory.
Accusations have been made that a cartel will operate for tendering of the old British standard. I have only come across two companies which are able to cope with tenders for this standard. Those companies which operate the EN 1317 standard are ruled out of tendering for road contracts. This is a separate matter beyond the issue of safety.
Given that we receive Cohesion and Structural Funding for the building of highways, it is difficult to understand the reason we do not comply with the standard our EU partners in the main apply to their road building operations. I am worried that we are giving an excuse to those who argue with the Minister for Finance about our use of EU moneys and accuse us of not complying with the general EU standard.
Many have raised with me the scarcity of crash barriers, particularly along central reservations on the M1 and dual carriageways. Without a central reservation crash barrier there is the added danger that a car or other vehicle which loses control can cross the central reservation and crash with oncoming traffic. This has happened. The Minister should take note of these tragedies and ensure the standards are improved and these issues addressed.
