Pat Rabbitte
Question:92 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport his plans to allow bus lanes on the hard shoulders of motorways; the time scale proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15911/04]
View answerThursday, 27 May 2004
Questions (99)
Written answers
I am anxious to ensure that as many practical measures as possible are taken to improve public transport flows and reduce congestion throughout the country. In that regard, my officials are engaged in discussions with Bus Éireann, the Dublin Transportation Office, the quality bus network office of Dublin City Council and the National Roads Authority regarding the use of the hard shoulder on roads, including those linking Dublin and satellite towns.
The provision of hard shoulders for use as bus lanes can be facilitated through regulations made under section 35 of the Road Traffic Act 1994. However, as Road Traffic Acts provide that road speed limits apply to all of the vehicles using those roads, save where a lower ordinary speed limit applies to a particular class of vehicle, the application of a separate speed limit to vehicles using a reserved hard shoulder must be provided for in primary legislation.
The road traffic Bill that is currently being drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel proposes to provide a legal basis for the introduction of the concept of making by-laws to apply a special speed limit in respect of a specified national road or motorway or part, carriageway or lane thereof in lieu of the speed limit that normally applies to that road.
Question No. 93 answered with QuestionNo. 16.
Question No. 94 answered with QuestionNo. 35.