Dáil debates

Wednesday, 11 July 2012

Topical Issue Debate

Road Improvement Schemes

4:00 pm

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting what is an extremely important topical issue in my constituency of Longford-Westmeath. In fact, I can conservatively say that 50-plus jobs are on the line today as a result of the new N4 Downes interchange and the ongoing works. The works, which were initiated in 2008, are not the problem and I welcome the investment by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport of in excess of €14 million in this project. It was an extremely dangerous junction which, unfortunately, saw many fatalities. What is happening now is the issue.

Despite previous assurances from the local authority and the contractors that the medians on this stretch of road would remain open until the flyover was erected, unfortunately, they have not be adhered to. I will give the Minister the history of the issue. Originally, a Part 8 process was embarked upon and the council officials engaged with the vested interests, including businesses and landowners, and advised them that they would maintain the medians on the road in order to provide access to businesses and for local residents during the construction phase.

Extra money became available through the National Roads Authority but, unfortunately, there was a need to re-advertise and go through the Part 8 process again. At no stage was the fact that the medians would close mentioned. A number of business have met the local authority officials and the project office and they have been advised that a number of medians will close on 16 July and the remaining ones will close on 22 August, but the bridge has not been opened. The bridge will be under construction until December of this year. It was understood there was a provision in the agreement with the contractors that reasonable access would be provided to businesses while the works were being carried out but this appears to have been completely ignored.

It is unfortunate the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport cannot be here because he turned the sod on this project and I am sure he is quite familiar with it. I will take the Thomas Flynn and Sons site as an example. Under the current regime, to close the median gaps westbound, N4 traffic with a destination at Flynn's would be required to divert more than 10 km via the N52 interchange to the east of Mullingar. Eastbound, N4 traffic would similarly be required to divert approximately 5 km via the interchange junction near Coralstown. It is a serious inconvenience to people using this route. These people have engaged Traffic Wise Consultants and they have come up with a comprehensive suggestion and a compromise for the council. I understand the council would be willing to engage and take it on board were it not for the NRA which has put in a condition that the contract and the money must be drawn down by the end of December this year.

Will the Minister ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to instruct NRA officials to engage positively with council officials to ensure what needs to be done at a relatively low cost to maintain the 50-plus jobs at these business is done? We suffered 45 job losses in the town of Mullingar yesterday and we do not want to see 50 jobs lost for want of positive engagement with an arm of this State.

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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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.

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Westmeath County Council is trying, within reason, to minimise the inconvenience caused to the businesses and local people who use this stretch of road and are affected by this.

The NRA is the funding master, to whom Westmeath County Council will go for the cheque at the end of the year. It has dictated that this section of road must be completed by the end of December 2012. The contractor is saying that cannot be done without closing the medians, one in July and one in August. This will result in a four month period when a severe diversion, 10 km in one direction and 5 km in the other, will be required. The local business people have engaged traffic consultants and have made a proposal, identical to that originally suggested by the local authority and by SIAC, the contractor, that the medians remain open until the bridge is completed.

We ask that the NRA allow the additional time needed, which might be a month or two, running up to February 2013, to allow the work to be completed, to keep the medians open and support the 50 jobs that are on the line at present.

The Government has, rightly, prioritised job creation. Fifty jobs are on the line here. The Minister for Transport turned the sod on this project. He must not turn the key on four businesses and see 50 job losses, simply because the NRA is unaccommodating. I ask the Minister of State to ask the Minister to have his officials consult with Westmeath County Council to bring about a satisfactory conclusion and support the 50 jobs that are on the line.

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I will certainly talk to Minister for Transport. I know the stretch of road well. I travelled it twice in the last four days. Some of the median to which the Deputy refers is already built.

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Three are closed and the remainder will soon close.

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I have some sympathy with the point the Deputy makes about inconvenience. However, the professional and technical advice is that it is necessary to proceed in the way outlined.

I am sure the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, would be happy to talk to the county manager or county engineer about bridging the four month period and minimising the inconvenience and to discuss the concerns raised by the Deputy.

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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It would help if the payment could be allowed to run into the first two months of next year.

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I understand that.