Vol. 571 No. 2
292 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport when the Luas works on Stephen's Lane, Dublin 8, which were to have been completed within 12 months, are to be completed in view of the fact that the contractors have now been on site for well over that period and the road is now into its second closure period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21522/03]
As the Deputy is aware, the Railway Procurement Agency, RPA, is responsible for the management of the Luas project. The RPA has informed me, however, that St. Steeven's Lane has now been closed permanently to through traffic following initial periods of temporary closure. They have also assured me that the closure of the lane to through traffic is in line with the plans for Luas Line A in respect of which a light railway order has been made.
The RPA have advised me that the bulk of Luas works in this area will have been completed by Christmas.
293 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport when the Luas works on Davitt Road which were to have been completed within 18 months are to be completed in view of the fact that the contractors have now been on site for well over that period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21523/03]
As the Deputy is aware, the Railway Procurement Agency, RPA, is responsible for the management of the Luas project. I have contacted the agency about the Luas works on Davitt Road and it has informed me that traffic management arrangements on Davitt Road, making it a one-way system, were introduced to facilitate the first phase of Luas works which focused on the diversion of utilities and the setting back of boundary walls. Notices were published in the national papers and distributed locally at the time.
Following the completion of the first phase of works and given that the second and final phase, focusing on the laying of track, was to commence imminently it was decided to retain the traffic management measures which were already in place. Local residents and businesses were once again advised of this decision.
I understand from the RPA that the bulk of engineering works along Davitt Road will have been completed by Christmas and that the timing of the re-introduction of the two-way flow along Davitt Road is now being considered by the RPA in conjunction with Dublin City Council and the Garda Síochána.
