Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I thank the Deputy for raising this important local issue. I am standing in for my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, and I will undertake to bring the Deputy's views directly to his attention.

While the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has responsibility for overall policy and funding in regard to the national roads programme, the construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads is a statutory function of the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

Section 17 of the principal Act indicates that it shall be the general duty of the authority to secure the provision of a safe and efficient network of national roads. This section of road is on a major through route for traffic between Dublin and the west, a route that serves most of the north west from parts of Donegal down into Roscommon, Mayo, Leitrim and Roscommon. Most importantly, this section comes at the end of motorway and dual carriageway standard roads all the way from Dublin's M50. Motorists travelling this route are suddenly faced with traffic crossing ahead of them in right turning manoeuvres. This scenario is repeated at several locations in quick succession. Such turning manoeuvres are recognised to be among the most hazardous and more likely to lead to death or serious injury in any resultant collision. The NRA recognised the dangers in these particular circumstances and has chosen, even in the face of a severely constrained budget, to devote funding to this project. It is one of only the few national roads projects under way.

I understand the scheme involves the construction of a new grade separated junction, a footbridge for pedestrians across the dual carriageway, the elimination of the median crossings and the construction of hard shoulders. These measures, in particular the closure of the median crossing, are designed to improve the safety of road users along this section of the N4. The scheme is being implemented by Westmeath County Council, which designed the scheme over an extended period. This included meetings with the public, affected landowners and local business people. Various alternative design options were examined and public consultation meetings were held by the council on its proposals in October 2007 and February 2008. One local business made a request for a left in only access to its premises which front onto this road. This was considered by Westmeath County Council and its consultants at the design stage. However, this option was ruled out for reasons of traffic safety, particularly in regard to the proximity of the westbound on-ramp for the new grade separated junction.

When completed, these improvement works will provide access to the particular premises via the new grade separated junction and new access roads that will be constructed as part of the scheme to provide access to businesses and properties whose existing entrances will be affected. The new junction layout complies with NRA national road design standards and is typical of junctions used on motorways and dual carriageways throughout the network. The junction design offers high standards of safety for traffic entering and leaving motorways and dual carriageways.

I understand from the NRA that the additional travel distance to the business premises for traffic conning from Dublin is minimal, with east bound traffic only slightly more inconvenienced. However, I must note that any inconvenience caused to either the staff or potential customers by the new access arrangements is more than offset by the very significant road safety benefits deriving from the removal of the at-grade junctions and the provision of full grade separated access arrangements which will provide far safer access for all concerned.

I appreciate that there can be disruption to individuals and businesses during the construction phase of a project such as this. However, the issue of the sequencing of individual elements of the construction process and how they are carried through is a matter for the NRA, the local authority and the contractor concerned. Notwithstanding this, the Department has made the NRA aware of the concerns raised by the Deputy. In this context, I would expect that Westmeath County Council will try to keep inconvenience to a minimum while appreciating that the council and the contractor have to take account of health and safety considerations for motorists and construction workers on what is a very busy active roadway.

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