To ask the Minister for Transport when he expects a decision to be made by the NRA regarding the provision of central crash barriers on the M50.
- Seán Crowe.
For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 15th December, 2004.
Ref No: 33675/04 Proof: 176
Answered by the Minister for Transport (Martin Cullen)
Reply
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question 32402 and Parliamentary Question 32531 on 7th December 2004.
Dáil Question
No: 47 & 48
To ask the Minister for Transport the steps he intends to take to ensure the provision of central crash barriers on the M50 following the recent serious accident on that stretch of motorway.
- Seán Crowe.
For PRIORITY answer on Tuesday, 7th December, 2004.
Ref No: 32402/04 Lottery: 3 Proof: 118
To ask the Minister for Transport his plans in respect of the provision of central crash barriers on the M50.
- Róisín Shortall.
For PRIORITY answer on Tuesday, 7th December, 2004.
Ref No: 32531/04 Proof: 122
Answered by the Minister for Transport (Martin Cullen)
Reply
I propose to reply to 47 and 48 together.
The provision of median barriers on national roads is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) having regard to best practice in road safety and EU Standard for safety barriers of this type
The position generally in regard to the provision of median barriers on national roads is that:
- median barriers are currently being provided on all new motorways and dual carriageways irrespective of the median width;
- median barriers are being retrofitted on all existing inter-urban motorways and dual carriageways irrespective of median width and this work is expected to be completed by mid 2005 with the exception of the M50.
In the case of the M50, it had been intended by the NRA that median barriers would be provided in the context of the upgrade project which is due to get underway, subject to An Bord Pleanala approval on a phased basis in late 2005 for Phase 1 and in 2006 for Phase 2.
However in light of the recent crossover accident on the M50, in which a young woman tragically lost her life, the NRA are now considering the options for providing median barriers in advance of the M50 upgrade. The NRA have been asked to inform my Department of the outcome of their considerations of this matter as soon as possible.
