Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2007
465 Mr. English asked the Minister for Transport if he has had communications with groups (details supplied) regarding the provision of parking facilities for bus and rail users at Enfield, County Meath; if his Department would be willing to instruct these groups to work together to provide urgent parking measures for their customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4720/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is my policy to support the development of park and ride facilities in the Greater Dublin Area, and funding is available under Transport 21 for the development of such facilities. As I have made clear before in relation to such developments, I am open to receive proposals for funding from local authorities in the GDA. Any such proposals will be evaluated for funding according to their business cases and on a first-come, first-served basis.
Irish Rail, which has already conducted a feasibility study into prioritising a programme of car park extensions throughout their network of railway stations, will soon be commencing a similar study looking at further stations not covered in the original study. As part of this new study, they will examine the feasibility of extending the number of car parking spaces at Enfield railway station by 150 extra spaces (there are currently 15 car parking spaces there).
I have not been approached regarding a possible park and ride facility at Enfield by any of the other organisations referred to by the Deputy. The development and implementation of traffic management measures in general and measures aimed at improving the priority of public transport and encouraging modal shift is a matter for the local authority and transport service providers concerned. My role as Minister for Transport is to set the broad policy framework within which such measures can best be taken and to provide the necessary funding.
