As a resident in the Whitehall area, initially there was a significant improvement for the residential areas on the north side of Dublin when the port tunnel opened. It is great the trucks are off the roads but since the full ban was introduced there has been an appreciable disimprovement in traffic conditions in the northern suburbs because the M50 is so congested, especially at the West Link bridge. Many commuters are now transferring to the likes of Collins Avenue and Glasnevin Avenue. All of those areas along the northern fringe of the city have become extremely congested in recent weeks.
This gives rise to the question of why the NRA and the Department of Transport were so ill-prepared for the opening of the Dublin Port tunnel. It is not as if it happened overnight. We have known for the past ten years that the port tunnel would spill out all of these trucks onto the M50. Why was no preparation done for that and why was barrier-free tolling not in place on the M50 by the time the port tunnel opened? Why were the upgrade works not carried out? Can Mr. Barry throw some light on that?
A person might be forgiven for coming to the conclusion the NRA has been completely incompetent in regard to forward planning when it comes to our major road networks, or was there a problem with funding? We have known for a very long time that this major problem would arise as a result of the opening of the port tunnel, yet no preparation was done. I am interested in hearing an explanation from Mr. Barry.
I would also like to hear about the studies being done on the outer orbital route. Again, I do not blame Mr. Barry for the fact his remit is purely in respect of the roads network. However, it raises the issue of the problem of governance in regard to transport and the fact we do not have a Dublin transport authority — even though one has been promised for several years — and because nobody is taking an overview in respect of transport. The NRA is in charge of roads. Some other body is looking at trains and a further body is looking at buses. Nobody is taking an overview and planning for transport in the round.
Mr. Barry referred to studies that have been carried out on the outer orbital route. Has he factored in the likely impact on the proposed metro west because, presumably, if and when that goes ahead — we have been told it will be 2015 at best — it would have a significant impact on the numbers using the M50. Equally, in respect of all of the other Transport 21 projects — if they materialise — has Mr. Barry factored in the impact and to what extent they would influence a recommendation in respect of having an outer orbital route?
Many hauliers and other commuters have raised with me the absence of any rest or service areas on the motorway system. It has come to a head recently due to the ban on the use of mobile telephones. If somebody is travelling on the motorway system and needs to make or receive a call and does not have a hands-free set, there are very few places one can pull in. This is a major issue for truck drivers who need to take rests and who are legally obliged to take rests but there appears to be very few facilities.
What is Mr. Barry's policy on providing service areas where people can get petrol. I am not just referring to lay-bys. One can travel now from the north inner city to Newry and not pass a petrol station. That is incredible. There appears to be very little forward planning. Apart from the need for services, the whole question of rest areas is particularly important. I would like Mr. Barry to outline his policy in that respect.