Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 24 Nov 1999

Vol. 161 No. 5

Adjournment Matters. - Dublin Traffic Congestion.

Mr. J. Doyle

I did not think I would address the House on this issue so early but we have made progress. Recently we had a debate in the Seanad on the serious traffic problems facing Dublin. It seemed that Members blamed me for all the traffic problems in Dublin. It occurred to me that if the Minister for the Environment and Local Government was to sanction at least three major infrastructural projects for Dublin, they would play an important part in relieving the traffic problem, improve the city's economy and assist in protecting its residential amenities. The three infrastructural schemes I suggest are the Dublin port tunnel, the Coombe bypass and the North King Street-Blackhall Place bridge.

The port tunnel is an essential part of a balanced transport policy for the city, a policy which has been advocated in successive development plans. While the growth in traffic using Dublin Port, which has been increasing rapidly in recent years, is a welcome indicator of the overall economic well being of the city, the resultant increase in the volume of heavy goods vehicles has been causing grave problems. The city centre in particular suffers serious congestion, not only at peak hours but throughout the day. One of the major factors in this congestion is the commercial traffic using city centre routes, in particular the north and south quays, for access to and from the port. Successive surveys have shown that heavy goods vehicles passing through the city have no real business with the city but have to pass through in order to get to their destination.

The port tunnel when built will provide the relief required for the city centre as it will link directly with the M50 motorway and heavy goods vehicles from the port will be able to take that route to their destinations. This will help to environmentally improve the centre of the city and will also have beneficial effects in environmentally improving residential areas such as Ballyfermot and Inchicore because the heavy goods vehicles would no longer have to pass through them.

The second scheme which I ask the Minister to sanction is the Cork Street-Coombe bypass. This scheme has been on the city council agenda since I joined it over 21 years ago. The city council has long since approved this scheme but it has yet to be sanctioned by the Minister.

Unfortunately the delay in giving approval to this scheme has led to dereliction and neglect in the area and much uncertainty. This has resulted in a lack of business confidence in the area generally. Large-scale manufacturing has moved out of the area and the delay in the construction of the roads scheme has caused its own measure of urban blight. The Minister may pass through that area occasionally and he will know to what I am referring.

The present proposal combines a road improvement scheme with a major redevelopment of the area. It will help to play an important part in the integrated area plan for the Liberties area of the city for which the Minister has already given approval. Dublin Corporation built a fine housing scheme in the Coombe in the early 1980s but unfortunately it is not a very pleasant place to live in due to the heavy goods vehicles and traffic in general which have to pass through it. The construction of the Coombe bypass will have a beneficial effect on the local residential amenities of the area and will impact positively on traffic and businesses.

The third issue is the North King Street-Blackhall Place bridge. This is another scheme with a long history which, because of the delay in its implementation, has had a negative effect on the locality, its residents and commercial life and on the movement of vehicular traffic in the city centre. The scheme consists of road widening and improvements on North King Street between Bolton Street and Church Street, together with traffic management measures in the Smithfield-Blackhall Place area and a new bridge linking Blackhall Place to Usher's Island. The improved road will effectively form the boundary to the HARP or historic area renewal plan. It will contribute enormously to the regeneration of the area.

Together with the traffic management proposals and the proposed new river bridge between Blackhall Place and Usher's Island, this road will make a major contribution to improving the local environment for residents, enhancing the potential for local businesses and improving traffic movement through the city centre.

These three schemes are currently with the Minister awaiting his approval. The port tunnel will make a major contribution to both the national and local economy in enhancing access to and from the port by providing a fast, safe means of access to and from the M50 motorway and thus avoiding the city centre. The two local schemes in North King Street and the Coombe will contribute to the better distribution of traffic and accommodation of public transport. They will improve business opportunities and enhance the amenities of the area.

In order to resolve Dublin's traffic problems and to improve the amenities in the city generally, I would be thankful if the Minister would give his sanction to the proposals I have outlined.

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

I thank the Senator for raising this issue. Dublin's current traffic problems have been particularly exacerbated by the country's unprecedented economic success since 1994. This is demonstrated by a dramatic increase in car ownership in Dublin from 235 cars per 1,000 head of population in 1991 to 321 per 1,000 in 1998; an unprecedented increase in shipments through Dublin Port from 7.7 million in 1991 to more than 11.6 million in 1998 and a big increase in passenger numbers through Dublin Airport from 5.5 million in 1991 to more than 11.6 million in 1998. Each of these elements has added extra traffic to the city street network. The number of passengers passing through Dublin Airport is expected to reach 15 million by the end of next year.

The recently published national development plan outlines a strategy for transport for the greater Dublin area. The strategy is to concentrate investment, inter alia, on completion of the M50, Dublin Port tunnel and national road projects, and implementation of non-national road projects of particular relevance to the achievement of DTI strategy objectives. The specific proposals referred to by the Senator are the Dublin Port tunnel motorway scheme, North King Street area road improvement scheme and Cork Street-The Coombe relief route.

In the case of the Dublin Port tunnel, Dublin Corporation submitted the Dublin Port tunnel motorway scheme 1998 and an environmental impact statement to me in respect of this scheme in July 1998. The Dublin Port tunnel toll scheme was submitted to me by the National Roads Authority in October 1998. A total of 175 submissions were received in respect of the motorway scheme and EIS and 11 submissions were received in respect of the toll scheme. A public local inquiry was held by the appointed inspectors over 22 days between 2 March 1999 and 27 April 1999. The inspector's report was submitted to my Department on 31 August 1999. I am aware of the importance of the Dublin Port tunnel project and I assure the House that I will determine the issues involved as early as possible with due account taken of the complexities of the issues on the one hand and the need to progress the scheme on the other.

An EIS in respect of the Cork Street-The Coombe relief route was received in August 1998 while an associated compulsory purchase order was received in February 1999. A total of 11 submissions were received in respect of the EIS. A public local inquiry was held into objections received against confirmation of the CPO from 15 to 17 June 1999. I am considering the inspector's report in regard to the EIS and CPO aspects of this project with a view to determining both issues as soon as possible.

An EIS on the North King Street area road improvement scheme was received from Dublin Corporation by the Department in July 1998. One submission was received. In December 1998 I sought additional information from the corporation under section 51(4) of the Roads Act, 1993, regarding the proposals for the bridge element of the proposed road development at Blackhall Place. This information was submitted in April 1999. Interested parties were again asked to make submissions and three were received. The inspector's report was submitted to my Department in July 1999. In assessing a proposed road development, which is the subject of an EIS, I must consider the EIS, submissions received and the report of the person who examines the EIS. I am considering the inspector's report on the EIS and will determine this issue as soon as possible.

The Government is committed to sustained and co-ordinated action to deal with the traffic situation in Dublin. The national development plan will provide for further acceleration of investment in Dublin's transport infrastructure. However, solving Dublin's traffic problems will depend not just on action by public authorities but on individuals making sustainable travel choices. For example, traffic congestion can be reduced by the greater use of public transport. With the advent of the quality bus corridors allowing the provision of a quick, reliable and regular service we can look forward to a substantial increase in the numbers choosing to use public transport in preference to the private car. I assure the Senator that as soon as the Planning and Development Bill, 1999, has passed through the House, I will give the three schemes my utmost attention.