Paul McGrath
Ceist:189 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline the progress made on the upgrading of the N4 Road form Leixlip, County Kildare to Kinnegad, County Westmeath.
Written Answers. - Kildare-Westmeath Works.
Paul McGrath
Ceist:192 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline the stage the planning of the Kinnegad by-pass, County Westmeath has reached; and when he expects to invite the local residents, business people and public representatives to review the plans.
Paul McGrath
Ceist:194 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment if his Department intends to direct Westmeath County Council to initiate full discussions with residents, traders and other interested groups regarding the siting of the proposed Kinnegad by-pass, County Westmeath.
Paul McGrath
Ceist:195 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline the plans which exist for the upgrading of the N4 between Kinnegad, County Westmeath and Kilcock, County Kildare; and the proposals his Department has for the upgrading of the N6 between Kinnegad and Athlone.
I am taking Questions Nos. 189, 192, 194 and 195 together.
It is proposed that the section of the N4 route from the end of the Lucan by-pass to the west of Kinnegad will be improved to motorway standard. Two motorway schemes are involved i.e. Lucan to Kilcock, and Kilcock to west of Kinnegad.
A public inquiry must be held in accordance with the Local Government (Roads and Motorways) Act, 1974 into all aspects of a proposed motorway scheme before the Minister for the Environment gives his decision in the matter. In the case of the Lucan to Kilcock motorway scheme, the necessary public inquiry has been held and, in June, 1988, I gave approval to Kildare County Council's proposals for this scheme. I understand that the local authority expect to be in a position to forward a final set of contract documents for the scheme to my Department, for decision, in September. The development of a motorway scheme for the balance of the route to Kinnegad including any necessary consultation with local interests is a matter, at this stage, for the local authorities concerned. A public inquiry will be held in relation to the proposal in due course.
With regard to the N6 route, I understand that Westmeath County Council are at present (a) examining alternative alignments for the improvement of the route between Kinnegad and Rochfordbridge; (b) considering possible alignments for by-passes of the intermediate towns between Rochfordbridge and Moate; and (c) preparing a CPO in respect of the unimproved sections between Moate and Athlone.