Vol. 507 No. 2
27 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if, in planning policy to expand railway services, she will adopt a similar yardstick to the 20-year horizon policy adopted by the National Roads Authority for the Department of the Environment and Local Government which results in some element of over provision in the earlier years following expenditure. [14904/99]
The £430 million Railway Safety Programme 1999-2003 is the first tranche of the 15 year safety programme recommended by the IRMS consultants. The track renewal, signalling and other infrastructural works being undertaken in this programme will ensure a high quality railway infrastructure well beyond the 20 year horizon referred to by the Deputy. This investment, while primarily designed for safety purposes, will also provide the basis for expansion and improvements in services, as required.
The Dublin Transportation Office recently completed its transportation blueprint for the period 2000 to 2006. It will now be continuing with its work on the updating of the DTI strategy to cover the period up to 2016. It expects to complete the updated strategy 2000 to 2016 in March of next year.
At the request of the Government, CIE will complete a consultancy study by the end of the year on a longer term suburban rail development programme. This study will address a possible new inland rail link to Navan; possible separation of long distance and commuter rail traffic through the construction of by-pass rail lines; quadrupling of existing double lines where feasible; enhancement of rail service to the development centres identified by the strategic planning guidelines.
