Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 February 2005
257 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Transport the measures he is taking to improve public transport in general in the Dublin area; his plans for quality bus corridors, Dublin Bus, Iarnród Éireann, including the DART, a metro system to Dublin Airport, integrated ticketing, road improvements, including the M50 and an orbital route and park and ride facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5967/05]
View answerI outlined the current position in regard to a number of public transport and road measures in the Dublin area in my response on 15 February 2005 to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 94, 95, 123, 132, 157, 161, 171, 344, 354, 360. In response to Questions Nos. 98 and 110 of 15 February, I outlined my intention to bring a ten year transport investment framework to Government.
The ten year transport investment framework will identify the investment and outline the measures that I believe are required in order to further develop all elements of national transport infrastructure, addressing existing bottlenecks and capacity constraints, enhancing quality, optimising the use of the network and making prudent advance provision for future economic growth. The framework will include my proposals for investment in roads and public transport within the greater Dublin area. It is not possible to outline the specifics of the draft plan pending its consideration by the Cabinet infrastructure committee and by the Cabinet itself.
I assume the Deputy is referring to the concept of a Dublin outer orbital route. Both the strategic planning guidelines for the greater Dublin area, 1999, and the DTO's platform for change, 2000, identified a possible need for a Dublin outer orbital route linking Drogheda-Navan-Naas. More recently the regional planning guidelines for the greater Dublin area, 2004, also provide for the development of such a route in the medium to longer term on the basis that these centres would be strengthened by the provision of good links between them without having to pass through the Dublin city area. A 2001 strategic study commissioned by the NRA of a Dublin outer orbital route concluded that such a route had significant merit and is feasible on engineering and environmental grounds. As a high level strategic study of the concept, the 2001 report, apart from identifying a possible corridor for an outer orbital, did not consider route options, appropriate road type and costs. Detailed consideration of these and other issues including spatial planning, land use and environmental issues and the appropriate type and class of road to be provided will be the subject of further studies.
I have asked the NRA to carry out these further studies and to consider the proposed route as part of future road infrastructure development plans taking account of the national spatial strategy, the regional planning guidelines and the planning and traffic implications of such a route for the greater Dublin region and neighbouring regions. The proposal will also be considered in the context of the ten year transport investment framework currently being prepared within my Department.
