Written answers

Wednesday, 5 December 2007

9:00 pm

Photo of Olivia MitchellOlivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 162: To ask the Minister for Transport the Government plans in place to improve transport access to Shannon Airport; when such plans will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25643/07]

Photo of Noel DempseyNoel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Limerick/Shannon is identified as a Gateway in the National Spatial Strategy, and Shannon Airport has a vital role to play in sustaining and developing the region. My Department has long recognised the importance of improving access to Shannon.

Access to Shannon Airport is by road, with a direct spur to the N18 Limerick–Galway road. The N18 is currently being upgraded to give a dual carriageway link throughout. Other roads which serve the Shannon/Limerick region are the N7 Limerick–Nenagh, N20 Limerick-Cork and the N21 Adare–Limerick, and significant upgrade works are underway on these roads. Phase 1 of the Ennis Bypass was officially opened last January and Phase 2 is due to be completed within the next couple of months. Shannon Airport will also benefit from the major works planned on the Atlantic Road Corridor.

A new tunnel under the Shannon at Limerick will open in 2010, which will considerably relieve traffic congestion in the region. Approximately €2 billion has been committed in total to road projects in the Shannon region which are already in construction or at an advanced stage in planning. Limerick County Council has this year completed a section of bus lane on the Ennis Road, with funding from my Department. Progress in developing Green Routes in the City Council area has been slower than planned because of local concerns.

Bus Services to Shannon have been increased, with all Bus Éireann services on the Cork-Limerick-Galway route now stopping at the airport. There are direct services linking the airport to Limerick and Ennis, with the possibility of linking from there to other services. I have also this year ended restrictions on Bus Éireann services, which had meant that some services were permitted to set down only but not pick up passengers at the airport. In addition my Department has granted licences to private bus operators in respect of services connecting Shannon Airport to Galway and Dublin Airport.

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