Vol. 572 No. 3
98 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Transport if there are any plans to devise a new flyover system to deal with chronic traffic problems at the Red Cow roundabout; the nature of the proposals being considered; the likely cost of the plan; the likely timeframe for construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23113/03]
The planning, design and implementation of individual national projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority in co-operation with the relevant local authority.
I understand from the National Roads Authority, however, that it is preparing plans for the provision of an additional lane in each direction over most of the length of the M50 as well as upgrading of the major junctions, including the N7-M50 junction at the Red Cow. The scope and extent of the upgrade and the programming of the work involved is a matter for the NRA in the first instance having regard to the funding available for the national roads programme.
99 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the recent claim by the managing director of transport for London (details supplied) that traffic congestion in Dublin was now among the worst in the world; the steps he is taking to deal with this problem and particularly to improve bus travel times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23118/03]
The policy of tackling congestion requires particular focus on the promotion of public transport. A key element of this focus is the delivery of quality bus corridors in a more aggressive way. To date, we have nine QBCs in operation in the Dublin area – Malahide, Lucan, Stillorgan, Finglas, North Clondalkin, Rathfarnham, Tallaght, Swords and Blanchardstown. Results have been impressive, with bus journey times cut by up to 40% in some cases.
A quality bus network project office was established in 2002, with a project team dedicated to the implementation of an expanded QBC-QBN programme, including new radial and orbital corridors, extensions of existing corridors, as well as city centre bus priority measures and local bus priority measures where needed. Cycling facilities associated with the QBN network are also being provided.
This year, my Department is investing about €19 million in traffic management grants in quality bus corridor-network projects. This follows a total investment of €72 million in QBC projects up to 2002. Next year we hope to invest €35 million in developing the quality bus network in Dublin.
Alongside bus service provision, due attention is being given to our rail based commuter services. The first phase of the DART upgrade project is now under way, for completion by the end of 2005. This project will upgrade power supply to enable longer, eight car DART trains to run over the full DART network. It will also lengthen platforms at all DART stations and provide wheelchair accessible stations. The additional capacity will permit the introduction of 40 new DART cars. On the Kildare, Maynooth and outer or coastal suburban corridors, 80 new diesel rail-cars are currently being introduced. These rail cars will upgrade existing rolling stock as well as increase the passenger carrying capacity on these corridors.
In the summer-early autumn of next year, Luas will commence operation, providing peak time services of 12 trams per hour, with capacity of up to 235 persons per tram on the Tallaght to Connolly line and up to 310 persons per tram on the Sandyford to Stephen's Green line. In addition to improving public transport infrastructure and services, the issue of demand management is being examined comprehensively by means of a DTO demand management implementation study which is currently under way; it is expected to be complete in early 2004. The outcome of the study will lead to recommendations for an agreed implementation programme for managing the demand for travel, particularly at peak times, and for more efficient use of Dublin's transport infrastructure.
I am confident that these measures, together with the opening of the Dublin Port tunnel and the completion of the M50 in 2005, will go a long way towards addressing Dublin's congestion problems. With regard to Mr. Turner's reported assertion about congestion in Dublin vis-à-vis that in other cities, it must be emphasised that there are no comprehensive comparative data available to support or refute this claim.
