asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that the main roads of West Cork are sub-standard and unsuitable for heavy traffic; if any arrangements have been made to bring these roads up to the standard required to carry the increased traffic resulting from the discontinuance of rail services; and if he will give the approximate cost of reconstructing to main road standard the roads at present serving the towns of West Cork where railway services operate.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - West Cork Main Roads.
22.
I am aware that some stretches of main roads in County Cork, in common with some main roads elsewhere, are sub-standard in width and alignment, although they are all fairly well surfaced. The improvement of such roads, generally, is proceeding under the various grants allocated for that purpose. In the case of County Cork, these grants include an annual main road improvement grant of £117,900 and a tourist road grant of £55,000. The County Council itself decides on the amounts of these grants that are allocated to each of the different road administration areas. I am not aware that a complete estimate has been made of the cost of bringing up to full standard the roads referred to in the last part of the Deputy's question. I understand that there will not be any undue increase in road traffic as a result of railway closings projected for West Cork.
The Minister is misinformed when he says there will not be any increase in road traffic as a result of the closing of the railways in West Cork. I should like to know will he give any special grants for the maintenance of the main roads which will have to bear the increased traffic which is bound to come on them as a result of the closing of the railways?
I am not in accord with all of Deputy Wycherley's Supplementary Question because I do not assume——
Speech.
——they will be closed down. I should like to ask the Minister will he use his good offices with his colleague the Minister for Transport and Power, to ensure that the heavy traffic on the roads will be carried on the railway line. If that situation arises, the line will have to be maintained and the ratepayers of Cork county, numbering 100,000, will continue to be served by the railway line and be spared the additional expense on the rates of maintaining the roads.
Why do they not use the railway line?
Go down and tell them that.
I told them.
Might I say again that my information is that the additional traffic arising from the projected closing of the railway will not be unduly heavy? That is the information I have to date and I cannot really add to it at the moment.
It is wrong information.
Is the Minister aware that last year 100,000 tons of sludge lime were delivered from Mallow to the Bandon station and is he aware that thousands of tons of beet are being delivered by rail which will be unloaded onto the public road system if the railways are closed? Furthermore, the traffic over St. Patrick's Bridge—which should be of particular interest to Deputy Galvin— will be considerably worsened if that traffic is diverted across it.
They could use Brian Boru Bridge.
That would be impossible.