Peter Barry
Ceist:150 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for the Environment when it is expected that the land use and transportation study plan for the greater Cork area will be completed.
Written Answers. - Cork Study Plan.
I presume the Deputy is referring to the Cork land use/transportation plan of 1978, the purpose of which was to develop a strategic plan for the orderly growth and co-ordinated development of the study area. The study has been taken into account in reviews of the city and county development plans.
In so far as my own Department is concerned, the position is as follows:
Roads.
The Study recommended a programme of road improvements costing an estimated £144 million (at 1989 prices). Most of the improvements have already been undertaken or are at present underway, with the assistance of full cost State road grants. The improvements completed include Midleton by-pass, the northern ring road, the south city link road and the de Valera, Collins and Christy Ring bridges. Projects at present in progress include Glanmire by-pass, the southern ring road, stage 1 of the Blackpool by-pass and the improvement of the N20 between Cork and Mallow. This year, I allocated road grants amounting to £15.2 million to meet costs arising on these projects in 1990. The timing of the completion of other major road improvements which were recommended in the study has been considered in the context of the preparation of the operational programme for roads and other transport infrastructure. A draft of the programme, which has been prepared in accordance with the community support framework 1989 to 1993, has been submitted to the EC Commission. Pending the adoption of the programme, I do not propose to give details of the timing of the major projects in the programme.
Sanitary Services.
Schemes identified in the study will continue to be taken into account in the planning of the sanitary services programme. It is expected that further such schemes will reach construction stage in 1990.