Róisín Shortall
Question:47 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport his plans in respect of the provision of central crash barriers on the M50. [32531/04]
View answerTuesday, 7 December 2004
Questions (19, 20)
Seán Crowe
Question:48 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Transport the steps he intends to take to ensure the provision of central crash barriers on the M50 following the recent serious accident on that stretch of motorway. [32402/04]
View answerOral answers (38 contributions)
I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 48 together.
Is that agreed? Agreed. The time allowed for two oral questions is not more than 12 minutes.
The provision of median barriers on national roads is a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA, having regard to best practice in road safety and EU standard for safety barriers of this type.
The position generally in regard to the provision of median barriers on national roads is that: median barriers are currently being provided on all new motorways and dual carriageways irrespective of the median width; and median barriers are being retro-fitted on all existing inter-urban motorways and dual carriageways irrespective of median width and this work is expected to be completed by mid-2005 with the exception of the M50.
In the case of the M50, it had been intended by the NRA that median barriers would be provided in the context of the upgrade project which is due to get under way, subject to An Bord Pleanála approval, on a phased basis in late 2005 for Phase 1 and in 2006 for Phase 2.
However, in light of the recent crossover accident on the M50, in which a young woman tragically lost her life — I offer the family of the young woman my condolences and those of the Government — the NRA is now considering the options for providing median barriers in advance of the M50 upgrade. The NRA has been asked to inform my Department of the outcome of its considerations of this matter as soon as possible.
In light of the two recent serious cross-over accidents on the M1 and the M50, does the Minister accept that the safety policy on our motorways is no longer acceptable? Why is the Minister passing the buck by saying this is a matter for the NRA? It is a matter for the Minister to set down policy in this area and for the NRA to carry out that policy. I ask the Minister to get off the fence on this matter and give us his own view of what should happen in respect of central median barriers.
Now that the NRA has finally accepted the need for central barriers, is the Minister aware that the authority proposes to use low containment wire rope, which is the lowest EU grade of barrier? Is he aware of the many problems associated with that? Low containment wire rope does not prevent any kind of heavy vehicle crossing over into the oncoming traffic and poses very real dangers to motorcyclists. Does the Minister realise that practically every other EU country uses the more substantial H2 category of barrier, which provides cushioning and will provide safety against impact for even the heaviest vehicle? What does the Minister propose to do to ensure that our motorways become more safe?
There is already a substantial programme in place for the introduction of median barriers. They are being installed on all new motorways and dual carriageways and retro-fitting has begun on all inter-urban motorways and dual carriageways. Because a major upgrading of the capacity of the M50 is to begin next year, it was decided not to install the barriers until then. However, in the light of the recent accident I have asked the NRA to review that decision.
While not lessening one aspect or the other, it is equally important to state that we all have a responsibility while driving. It is wrong to suggest that barriers would suddenly stop all accidents.
I am not suggesting that. However engineering solutions are required.
I do not say Deputy Shortall is suggesting that. I merely make that point. I do not like the idea of the focus being taken off safe driving. I do not say Deputy Shortall has done that.
The Minister is taking the focus off the NRA.
In the context of refitting the M50 and on foot of what has happened, I have asked the NRA to come back to me on this matter as quickly as it can. I am waiting for that report.
I join the Minister in sending my sympathy to the family of the young woman who was killed in the recent accident on the M50 and to those who were seriously injured. I passed the scene of the accident approximately one hour after it happened and I was shocked to see the state of the cars involved.
The Minister says the NRA is considering the installation of median barriers on the M50 and that this will be done as soon as possible. Can he give the House a timescale for that? When will this happen?
On the day of the accident I noticed a car travelling on the M50 at approximately 30 miles per hour and displaying large L plates, people using mobile 'phones while driving and children unrestrained in the front seats of cars. On the day that was in it, it was very disappointing to see that. While the barriers alone will not solve the problem, they will clearly go some way to doing so. Everybody who has passed by that road or read about it in the newspapers is concerned and wants to see it happening as soon as possible. What has brought about the change? Is it because the young woman died? We will see increasing numbers of such accidents unless we upgrade and install barriers on such roads. If the NRA in its wisdom decides to proceed, when will barriers be put on that road?
I reiterate what I said, median barriers are being provided on all new motorways and dual carriageways irrespective of the median width. Median barriers are being retrofitted on all existing inter-urban motorways and dual carriageways irrespective of median width and this work is expected to be completed by mid-2005 with the exception of the M50. The M50 will have a very substantial upgrade starting next year. The NRA is aware of the urgency of this matter and I want to hear from it as quickly as possible. I want, and the Government is determined, to have the best standards of safety possible on all our roads, motorways etc. Such standards do not of themselves stop what happened recently on the M50. I understand that if a barrier had been in place, unfortunately, it would have made no difference.
Who said that, the NRA?
I am merely telling the Deputy that I understand a barrier would not have made that much difference. However, that is to speculate. The point is that to present these in this way is wrong.
The Garda has made a report.
I ask the Minister to tell us who said that. I cannot imagine any expert in this field making such a claim and I ask the Minister to substantiate it. The question specifically referred to the M50. Last week on the "Prime Time" programme the Minister of State, Deputy Callely, said that the central crash barrier will not be provided on the M50 until the upgrading work is completed. The Minister today said something different, that he is considering it. When does the Minister expect to take a decision on providing a much-needed central crash barrier on the M50? It is important for him to let us know and stop kicking to touch on the matter.
In my previous question I asked the Minister to comment on the fact that on many of our motorways the NRA is using wire rope, which is completely unsatisfactory, unsafe and poses serious dangers to motorcyclists. What is the Minister's view on the fact that the NRA is using the lowest grade central crash barrier when all other European countries are using the much safer higher-grade barrier?
I understand very different types of barrier are used on various motorways with different road design throughout Europe, not just in Ireland. The NRA has used different types of barriers. The M50 upgrade in terms of putting the barriers in place is to happen.
When?
As soon as the NRA can tell me it can do it. I cannot just click my fingers.
Will it happen before the upgrade?
I have asked the NRA if that would be possible.
Can the Minister not instruct the NRA?
The amount and speed of traffic on the M50 may be reduced very significantly because of the substantial upgrade of the M50.
Where will that traffic go?
As I am not an engineer, I need to be advised by the NRA engineers as to what is possible in advance of the upgrade.
The problem seems to be cost.
If it can be done it will be done. I have asked the NRA to respond to me as quickly as possible.
The Minister will fund it.
While the Deputy may not have made such comments, much of the comment in recent days has suggested that these barriers of themselves solve the problem. That is not the case as the problem lies with speed, drink and drugs.
The central crash barrier provides protection for other people.
They are the key issues endangering lives on the roads.
That is true of any road.
The person killed in that accident was going about her daily business acting correctly within the law when another vehicle caused the accident.
Does the Minister accept that a central crash barrier would have prevented the accident?
It should not happen anyway.
I do not know the answer to that question, nor does the Deputy.
The Minister has just said the reverse. He said there is a view——
Let us be clear about this matter. I said that I understood the vehicle was in mid-air when passing the point at which the barrier would have been located and it would have had no effect on the vehicle.
What about the M1 crash two weeks earlier and the issue of chicken wire?