asked the Minister for the Environment if it is intended to upgrade the road from Ballyhale to Paulstown, County Kilkenny; if so, when this road will be substantially improved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
6.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Road Maintenance.
5.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware that the stretch of road between Gowran and Paulstown, County Kilkenny, which is used by many motorists travelling from Waterford to Dublin and vice versa, is extremely dangerous due to narrowness and sharp bends; if this stretch of road is to be substantially improved in the immediate future; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together.
Since taking office, I have allocated £215,000 for improvement works at three locations on the section of this national primary road from Paulstown to Ballyhale.
One of these schemes at Cloghabrody, north of Thomastown, involving the improvement of approximately one mile of road has been completed, while work is in progress on a further scheme at Thomastown Bridge. I am awaiting detailed proposals from Kilkenny County Council for the improvement of a section of the road between Gowran and Paulstown.
There are no other proposals before me for the improvement of this section of road.
Is this road classified as a national primary road?
It is a national primary road, the N9.
It can only be compared to a by-road. Would the Minister seriously consider spending a much larger sum to improve this 16-mile stretch of road which hinders the flow of traffic from Waterford to Dublin?
It would be up for consideration for 1979.
Has the Minister received any representations from business interests in Waterford?
I may have, but I have not that information here.
It is a matter of major concern for business people in Waterford.
7.
asked the Minister for the Environment if the main road between Kilcullen and Naas, County Kildare, as far as Our Lady of the Bower school, County Kildare, is up to the specified standard of a national primary road; if he is aware that this stretch of road is inadequate for the volume of traffic using it; when this stretch of road will be substantially improved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am aware that there are deficiencies in part of the Naas/Kilcullen road. Pending the submission by the county council of acceptable plans for the improvement of this road, I am not in a position to say when works will commence.
Has the Minister any proposals to make this section a dual carriageway?
Pending submission by the county council of acceptable plans for the improvement of this road I am not in a position to say when any work will commence. We are waiting on the county council.
When does the Minister expect to have these proposals?
We are waiting on the county council.
8.
asked the Minister for the Environment the special moneys allocated for the national primary road from Dublin to Waterford in each of the last five years.
As the reply contains a tabular statement, I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.
Following is the information requested:
|
Year |
Allocations |
|
£ |
|
|
1974 |
308,400 |
|
1975 |
292,200 |
|
1976 |
73,000 |
|
1977 |
527,000 |
|
1978 |
468,000 |
Note:
The above figures relate to grant allocations for improvement works. In addition to allocations for the Dublin/Waterford route, N.7 and N.9, the figures include the following allocations made to Kilkenny County Council for improvements to National Primary Route (N.10) Paulstown/Kilkenny/Ballyhale:
|
1974 |
1975 |
1976 |
1977 |
1978 |
|
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
|
55,000 |
40,800 |
Nil |
92,000 |
65,000 |
DUBLIN/WATERFORD (N7/N9)
Allocations for Improvement Works
|
Road Authority |
1974 |
1975 |
1976 |
1977 |
1978 |
|
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
£ |
|
|
Dublin County Council (N7) |
104,000 |
62,000 |
29,000 |
251,000 |
88,000 |
|
Kildare County Council (N9) |
76,000 |
60,000 |
4,000 |
16,000 |
Nil |
|
Carlow County Council (N9) |
51,700 |
98,000 |
40,000 |
50,000 |
150,000 |
|
Kilkenny County Council (N9) |
21,700 |
31,400 |
Nil |
118,000 |
165,000 |
|
Totals |
253,400 |
251,400 |
73,000 |
435,000 |
403,000 |
The direct Dublin/Waterford route is via Naas (N7) and Naas/Carlow/Thomastown (N9). The route via Kilkenny City (N10) is also used. The following allocations were made in respect of N10 in the 5 years in question:
|
Kilkenny County Council (N10) |
55,000 |
40,800 |
Nil |
92,000 |
65,000 |
|
Totals |
308,400 |
292,200 |
73,000 |
527,000 |
468,000 |
Could the Minister tell us if his tabular statement refers to the roadway referred to previously, that is, through Ballyhale, Paulstown or through Kilkenny? I should like to know which roadway the statement refers to?
It refers to primary route N.10—Paulstown/Kilkenny/Ballyhale.
I am not sure whether the Minister is aware that there are two national primary roads involved. The one directly from Paulstown to Ballyhale is approximately 8 miles shorter than the one to which the Minister has referred, that is, the one via Kilkenny. That is not the road which would be considered as the main Waterford/Dublin road link. Could I also have some figures?
The figures are contained in the tabular statement.
That refers to the N.10 roadway?
And the N.7 and N.9 are mentioned also.