Written answers

Wednesday, 22 March 2017

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Traffic Management

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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35. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to alleviate congestion by examining possible solutions such as an outer ring-road motorway to stop reliance on the M50 and examining current public transport costs, in view of the increasing traffic congestion in Dublin and the fact that major public transport projects, such as metro north, are not due for commencement or completion for a number of years. [14247/17]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​I fully recognise that there is considerable evidence emerging of increased travel demand across the Dublin Region in general.

Insofar as congestion issues in Dublin are concerned, the National Transport Authority's (NTA) transport strategy for the Greater Dublin Area provides the overarching framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services over the next two decades. Addressing urban congestion on both the strategic road network and locally in certain locations is an important theme in the Strategy. The measures proposed are linked to an analysis of current and projected levels of travel demand across the region.

The Strategy does not include the implementation of the Leinster Outer Orbital during its lifetime. Other large scale projects proposed in the Strategy include the DART Expansion Programme, New Metro North, and various other light rail projects. However, as the Deputy correctly notes, it will not be possible to deliver these projects in the short to medium term due to planning and design requirements as well as the significant capital requirements. Therefore, the only option to tackle congestion in the short to medium term is to radically improve the bus system to deliver a step change in performance across the GDA and to complement that improved public transport system with a network of park and ride sites.

I must highlight that already planned projects for the period 2015-2018 which include Luas Cross City, the Phoenix Park Tunnel, additional bus fleet and bus lane infrastructure, small scale interventions on the M50 and numerous other measures will go some way to addressing growing travel demand. However, we must look to a greatly strengthened bus system as the basis for tackling congestion. This requires a step-change in funding and I will be making a strong case for increased public transport investment as part of the Mid-Term Review of the Government's Capital Plan.

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