Eamon Ryan
Question:57 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport his plans to improve infrastructure in the southern region (details supplied). [28471/04]
View answerTuesday, 7 December 2004
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The southern regions of the country are benefiting from the major transport infrastructure investment programmes currently being implemented. Major national roads projects completed in recent years include: the N8 Watergrasshill bypass; N7 Limerick southern ring road, phase 1; N8 Cashel bypass; N25 Youghal bypass and N22 Ballincollig bypass. Projects in construction include: the N8 Fermoy-Watergrasshill, N18 Ennis bypass and N21 Castleisland-Abbeyfeale route. The beneficial impact of the high level of investment in upgrading the national roads network is increasingly evident in the southern region and throughout the country.
As regards public transport, the entire intercity rail network in this region has now been upgraded to continuous welded rail, providing more comfort and higher speeds for Irish Rail customers. Work is now well advanced on providing state of the art signalling on all intercity routes as well. The Waterford to Dublin line was completed earlier this year. Work on the Tralee to Mallow line is underway and completion is expected in 2005. The Cork to Dublin line already benefited from this technology in the past. Irish Rail is complementing this work by purchasing new fleets of railway rolling stock. In 2005, Irish Rail will introduce 67 new carriages on the Cork to Dublin route, with increased connections to Limerick.
In the Cork area, Irish Rail is developing the old Midleton to Glounthane railway line to provide a commuter service to the people and the industries of this rapidly expanding area. This project is being developed in co-operation with Cork city and county councils under the CASP — Cork area strategic plan.
To coincide with the European Capital of Culture 2005, Bus Éireann is undertaking a major redevelopment of its existing station at Parnell Place in Cork city, including improved access for the mobility impaired, to be completed shortly. In addition, new bus priority measures are being introduced.