The way it is intended to co-ordinate traffic management in the greater Dublin area in the next five years

Date: 06 December 2006


Dáil Question No: 277 *To ask the Minister for Transport the way it is intended to co-ordinate traffic management in the greater Dublin area in the next five years in view of the limited routes to and from the port tunnel and the high growing volumes of traffic; the extent to which commuters are expected to be facilitated by road, rail and bus with a view to minimising delays and increasing the availability of public transport as an attractive alternative to motor car use and with specific reference to the way potential commuters can get quick and easy access to rail stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Bernard J. Durkan.

Answered by the Minister for Transport
(Martin Cullen)

The report of the Dublin Transport Authority Establishment Team made a number of recommendations in respect of traffic management. The Team concluded that there needed to be an integrated policy approach to traffic management across the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), based on international best practice. They recommended that the Dublin Transport Authority should be obliged to prepare a strategic traffic management plan for the Greater Dublin Area. The Dublin Transport Authority should also be responsible for coordinating the traffic management arrangements during the construction phase of Transport 21.

Traffic management functions should continue to be discharged by local authorities but, in exercising their functions, they would be obliged to comply with the strategic traffic management plan of the Authority. However, the report also recommended that the Dublin Transport Authority should be given power to decide to perform certain traffic management functions itself or through a third party where it considered this to be more effective. It further proposed that the Authority should be empowered to issue policy guidelines and mandatory directions to local authorities in respect of its traffic management functions.

I share the views of the Establishment Team in relation to the need for an integrated approach to traffic management in the Greater Dublin Area. I am also of the view that the range of powers for a Dublin Transport Authority in respect of traffic management proposed by the Team would deliver such an integrated approach. These powers would also enable the Authority to ensure the effective management of any disruption to traffic caused by construction works during the delivery of key infrastructure projects under Transport 21.

The drafting of legislation to give effect to these recommendations is at an advanced stage in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.

A fundamental aim of Transport 21 is to transform the public transport system in the Greater Dublin Area in order to cater for increased demands for services in the Area and to provide an attractive alternative for commuters to the private car. A total of €14 billion has been provided under Transport 21 to develop two Metro lines, seven Luas lines and an expanded DART and suburban rail system. The number of buses in the GDA will be increased significantly and the Quality Bus Corridor network will be doubled. A key element of Transport 21 will be to put in place an integrated system that provides easy access and optimal interchange possibilities for commuters.