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Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 September 2018

Wednesday, 19 September 2018

Questions (128, 129)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he will prioritise upgrading of existing bridges or replacement as required at the various traffic bottlenecks throughout the greater Dublin area; if such bottlenecks have been identified; if plans including costs have been drawn up for their replacement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38013/18]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

129. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the recently announced proposals for bridge enhancement and traffic diversion in Celbridge, County Kildare, are costly, ineffective and unacceptable in view of the fact that they represents an interim measure which will exacerbate the traffic problems (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38014/18]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 129 together.

I would like to explain that the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993.  

As regards funding, roadworks on regional and local roads are funded from each local authority's own resources supplemented by State road grants, where applicable. Arising from the arrangements in place in relation to Local Property Tax receipts, the four Dublin Councils are largely self-funding for works on regional and local roads since 2015 and my Department no longer provides grants to these Councils under the main regional and localroad grant categories.

The National Transport Authority's (NTA) Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area provides the overarching framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services for Dublin over the next two decades. Addressing urban congestion on both the strategic road network and locally in certain locations is an important theme in the Strategy. The measures proposed are linked to an analysis of current and projected levels of travel demand across the region.

The recently announced proposals for bridge enhancement and traffic diversion in Celbridge is also an NTA project, and driven by them.

In light of this I have also forwarded the Deputy's requests for information to the NTA for direct reply.

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