13/11/2015

Greater Investment Needed In Transport Infrastructure - FF

Greater investment is needed in public and commuter transport infrastructure, following days of ongoing "traffic chaos" Fianna Fáil Councillor James Lawless.

"The long delay faced by countless commuters across Kildare last Wednesday following the closure of the M50 clearly demonstrates that we have a growing problem with traffic in the Greater Dublin Area," said Cllr Lawless.

"I have been consistently raising transport issues for commuters over the last 10 years. The failure to invest in public transport will only compound the long delays that commuters are now experiencing on a daily basis. This is having an impact on people’s quality of life, and is also putting potential investors off doing business in the Dublin area.

"Unfortunately gridlock is going to become a persistent problem for Kildare commuters. The M50 is already over capacity despite the fact that it acts as the main route to north and south Dublin alongside the city centre itself. Any accident along the route has the potential to cause gridlock on all roads across the Greater Dublin Area.

"Commuters are growing increasingly frustrated with the excessive delays they are expected to endure just to get to work. I have been contacted by people who had to endure a five hour commute last Wednesday as the traffic came to a standstill as far back as Naas. On the previous day many people were caught up in significant delays on the N7 due to an accident. Such delays are becoming increasingly common.

"I reiterate my call on the Government to invest in our transport infrastructure to alleviate the congestion on the M50. The Government should be investing in projects such as DART Underground to take the pressure off the M50 and make it easier for commuters to get to work. Serious consideration must also be given to the idea of creating an ‘outer M50’ orbital route to help relieve pressure on the current road. I called for this at a Fianna Fáil Transport Conference only in February of this year."

(MH/CD)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

24 July 2008
Fine Gael Accuse Government Of Transport Faiure
The Fine Gael deputy leader has hit out at the Government's Transport Strategy, which he said is a “failure”. Richard Bruton TD claims 75% of new commuters take the car and said that, at the halfway stage, the Government has failed to deliver on its ambition.
06 April 2016
Minister Donohoe Welcomes Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy
Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe has welcomed the publication of a Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area between 2016 – 2035. The National Transport Authority (NTA) unveiled the new plan today, 06 April.
18 October 2013
Public Transport Fare Increases 'Damaging'
Plans to raise public transport fares by up to 10% are "counterproductive" and "damaging", Sinn Féin transport spokesperson Dessie Ellis has said. Following approval of the price increases by the National Transport Aassociation Ellis said: "This should be a time of opportunity for the NTA to build public transport.
07 January 2008
Commuters Hit By Luas Fare Increase
Dublin commuters returning to work this morning are to face the first in a string of public transport fare increases. Several are coming into force over the days ahead, beginning with all fares on the LUAS tram system going up by 10 cents, while €2 is being added to the price of a 30-day ticket.
16 March 2016
€23m Secured For 121 Sustainable Transport Projects In Greater Dublin Area
Funding of €23 million has been secured for sustainable transport projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe, announced the funding, which is being provided by the National Transport Authority under the Sustainable Transport Measures Grants (STMG) Programme for 2016.