Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for the opportunity to talk about this issue in the House today. I am responding to it on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, who has responsibility for public transport and roads.

Transport investment in Limerick in the coming years will be guided by the forthcoming Limerick-Shannon metropolitan area transport strategy. I am sure the Senator is aware that the strategy is being developed by the National Transport Authority, NTA, in collaboration with Limerick City and County Council, Clare County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII. A draft strategy was published in September 2020 and was open for public consultation for eight weeks. The draft strategy was based on a comprehensive analysis of population projections, development density and future travel demand patterns. This allowed for careful consideration of transport needs across Limerick and the potential role all modes of transport might play in meeting those needs.

The draft strategy that was published for public consultation placed a strong focus on compact growth in line with the national planning framework, NPF. It supported the development of sustainable transport patterns to enable the planned expansion of the metropolitan area and help meet the projected travel demand set out in the NPF. Since the conclusion of the public consultation exercise, the NTA has conducted further analytical work to inform the next iteration of the strategy. I understand that the key issues raised in the submissions received as part of the public consultation process related to the need for a stronger vision within the strategy; the need for clearer modal shift targets and; and the need for greater consideration of Limerick regeneration areas.

I understand that the role of rail in the region was also raised during the public consultation and that role was further examined by the NTA for inclusion in a revised draft strategy. Planned sustainable transport investment in the Limerick metropolitan area in the coming years includes upgrades to pedestrian facilities, a radical improvement in the cycle network and delivery of a BusConnects programme. BusConnects Limerick is an ambitious programme which will provide a step change in the quality of the bus services in the city by providing for extensive bus priority, new vehicles and increased service frequencies.It will be implemented alongside a range of behavioural change measures to encourage more people to make sustainable options their preferred modes of transport. The delivery of BusConnects Limerick alongside improved and expanded active travel options in the city can facilitate a modal shift and have a positive impact on transport emissions.

There are also a number of proposed national road projects in the Limerick area, as the Senator alluded: the N21-N69 Limerick to Foynes road, including the Adare bypass; the N21 Abbeyfeale bypass; the N21 Newcastle West bypass; the N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction road; and the N20-M20 Cork to Limerick road. These national road projects are at varying stages in the development process and the national development plan, NDP, funding envelope up to 2030 will enable their progression through the public spending code and the statutory approvals process.

I understand that the NTA will soon undertake a second round of public consultation on a revised draft Limerick-Shannon metropolitan area transport strategy. Once the public have had their say, it is intended to finalise the strategy and publish it as the completed transport framework for the city. When finalised, it will set out the framework for investment in transport for the Limerick-Shannon metropolitan area for the next 20 years. Importantly, the strategy will be integrated within relevant land use plans. This integration is crucial if we are to enable the emergence of more sustainable modes of transport in a Limerick that provides citizens with better access to work, education and leisure opportunities through improved transport infrastructure. I look forward to the delivery of the much improved transport network in the Limerick area in the years ahead.