Christopher O'Sullivan
Question:8. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport the status of traffic calming measures in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46255/22]
View answerThursday, 22 September 2022
Questions (8)
Written answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design, improvement and upgrading of individual national roads is a matter for TII, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. TII ultimately delivers the National Roads Programme in line with Project Ireland 2040, the National Planning Framework and the NDP.
A priority in the NDP, in line with the Department’s typical investment hierarchy, is to maintain the quality and safety of the existing national road network. The NDP foresees an exchequer allocation of circa €2.9 billion for the Protection and Renewal of existing national roads over the 10-year period to 2030 (excluding Public Private Partnerships), allocated fairly evenly across the decade.
I understand from TII that they are aware that Cork County Council intends to submit a Feasibility and Options report seeking funding for proposed safety improvements on the N71 at Leap National School.
TII understands that the requested funding will be sought to carry out improvements at the existing zebra crossing at the church car park and playground rather than specific traffic calming measures through the 50 kilometre per hour speed limit area. Cork County Council also have the power to request a change to the speed limit which TII would then consider. A review of speed limits in County Cork is currently underway and is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.
It should be noted that TII provide funding via the road safety improvement programme subject to the local authority fully costing their proposals and evaluating the safety benefit. This is carried out in accordance with TII’s Road Safety Improvement Schemes Approval Procedure, for which proposals are submitted to TII in the form of a Feasibility and Options Report.
TII awaits submission of the Feasibility and Options Report from Cork County Council before any further steps can be taken.
With regard to safety on roads outside schools more generally, the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme was launched by my Department in March 2021 and we provide funding to An Taisce Green Schools through the National Transport Authority (NTA) to administer this programme. SRTS aims to support walking, scooting and cycling to primary and post-primary schools, and to create safer walking and cycling routes within communities, through the provision of infrastructure interventions. Such measures should alleviate congestion at school gates and see an increase in the number of students who walk or cycle to school.
931 applications were received from schools across every county in Ireland. 170 schools were selected for inclusion in the first round. It should be noted that all schools that applied to the original call for applications were accepted into the programme, and if not selected in Round 1 will be selected for forthcoming rounds. €15 million has been allocated for projects in Round 1. To date, 16 schools have had front-of-school works completed under SRTS and 3 more are in construction. All other Round 1 schools are at varying points of planning, consultation or design. The selection process for Round 2 schools will take place in the coming months.
Questions Nos. 9 to 13, inclusive, answered orally.