asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the proposal by Kildare County Council to provide a relief road and bridge in Celbridge, County Kildare, in order to alleviate traffic congestion; if he will approve such a scheme in view of the serious traffic difficulties which are evident in Celbridge; if he will give an indication as to the likely date for the start of such works; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Celbridge (Kildare) Relief Road Scheme.
222.
Celbridge is served by a system of non-national roads, mainly regional roads. Primary responsibility for improvements to the network of non-national roads rests with the local authorities, with the funding normally being met from local resources supplemented by the discretionary grants provided by the Department for such roads.
In February last, proposals were received in my Department from Kildare County Council for the construction of a relief road at Celbridge. The proposed scheme would cost an estimated £1.3 million and would include a new crossing of the River Liffey. On 14 March 1989, the Department wrote to the local authority drawing attention to the normal method of financing such works and informed the authority that there were no funds available in 1989 from which a special grant contribution could be provided in this case.