To ask the Minister for Transport when he expects the Port Tunnel to be ready for use; the way in which it is intended to use this as a means to alleviate traffic congestion in Dublin City and its environs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

- Bernard J. Durkan.
For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 7th July, 2004.
Ref No: 20847/04

Answered by the Minister for Transport
(Séamus Brennan, T.D.)

Reply

I understand from the National Roads Authority (NRA) and Dublin City Council that the Dublin Port Tunnel is expected to be completed in Quarter 3, 2005 and will significantly improve access to Dublin Port, in addition to providing relief to the city centre, environmental and safety benefits and relief from congestion for freight distributors and other port related traffic.

Traffic management in the city centre and in the vicinity of Dublin Port is a matter for Dublin City Council. In parallel with the opening to traffic of the Dublin Port Tunnel, Dublin City Council will be introducing a Heavy Goods Vehicle Traffic Management Strategy to ensure that maximum traffic benefits are secured from the Dublin Port Tunnel.

This plan will have three objectives; to ensure the optimal use by HGVs of the Port Tunnel, to minimize adverse effects of remaining HGV movements in the city and to manage the movement of vehicles not within permitted dimensions (e.g. through permit systems).

Dublin City Council has published a report on HGV management as a basis for a widespread public consultation exercise. The public consultation period is now concluded and the responses received are being evaluated within Dublin City Council. The HGV Management Strategy, revised to take account of submissions received, will be published in the Autumn.