Written Answers. - Rail Services.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:
49
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Public Enterprise
the current position in relation to the improvement of the rail service; the degree to which targets identified in the national plan have been reached; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[22708/00]
Since 1990 the rail network has benefited from considerable grant assistance from both the EU Cohesion and Structural Funds, and more recently from the Exchequer.
Under the National Development Plan, 2000-2006, a provision of £500 million has been allocated for investment in mainline rail. This investment comprises two principal components: completion of the implementation of the railway safety programme 1999-2003, as approved by the Government in March 1999; a renewal-upgrading programme.
There is also a major suburban rail investment programme under the national plan.
Iarnród Éireann is confident that £100 million of investment under the railway safety programme will be achieved in 2000. The track renewal programme is on schedule to meet the 2000 target of 87 miles. In relation to level crossings, Iarnród Éireann is concentrating on those with the highest risk and expect to have completed 96 level crossings by year end.
Sixty diesel railcars have been ordered for delivery in 2002-03. In addition, 12 DART carriages have been ordered for delivery in 2002 with an option for a further 36 carriages. Planning work is progressing on other projects.
Investment in the mainline rail network under the previous National Development Plan 1994-1999 was focused on track renewal, modern signalling systems and rolling stock in accordance with the overall policy framework set out in the Operational Programme for Transport 1994-99. The suburban rail programme concentrated on rolling stock acquisition, upgrading of the infrastructure and the provision of new stations. Funding for the rail investment was augmented sub stantially during 1998 and 1999, due to the reallocation of EU aid and the provision of direct Exchequer support. Most of the programme has been completed and the balance is largely on schedule for completion by end 2000. The main exception is the mini-CTC signalling project.
The programme of mainline rolling stock acquisition – 32 locomotives and 14 carriages – under the operational programme has been completed. This included two locomotives and 14 carriages for the Dublin-Belfast Enterprise service.
Under the 1994 to 1999 programme work has been completed on track renewal, modern continuously welded rail on concrete sleepers, on the Belfast, Cork, Limerick and Galway routes. The track renewal on sections of the Waterford, Tralee and Sligo lines was also completed on time and further investment is taking place under the current plan.
The improved quality of service resulting from these investments has attracted more customers to the rail mode and passenger carryings are now at record levels.
There has been an increase in annual rail passenger numbers of 2.3 million in the period since the start of the operational programme 1994 to 1999. This compares with a targeted increase of 800,000 over the six year period of the programme.
In relation to suburban rail, the construction of new suburban railway stations has been completed at Clontarf Road, Kilcock and Drumcondra and these are operational. Kilbarrack station has been upgraded and a new station at Barrow Street is under construction. A programme of station platform upgrading is also near completion. Work on park and ride facilities was completed at Killester, Bray, Donabate, Rush and Skerries stations.
The DART network has been extended to Greystones and Malahide. Interim services are in operation, but the introduction of full services is awaiting the resolution of industrial relations difficulties.
Twenty six additional DART carriages and 20 diesel railcars have also been delivered. Four of the DART units are in service, a further six will enter service shortly and the remaining DART and diesel units are undergoing testing and commissioning and will enter service in early 2001.
Work is well advanced on doubling and resignalling the track between Clonsilla and Maynooth and will be completed by year end. Additional services will be operated on the Maynooth corridor from January 2001. Work is also under way on upgrading the Dublin/Mullingar railway line.
Question No. 50 taken with Question No. 18.
