[PR] Statement on the 2006 Estimates

Victor

http://www.transport.ie/viewitem.asp?id=7079&lang=ENG&loc=1850

Statement on the 2006 Estimates
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17 November 2005

The base on which Transport 21 is built

Transport Minister, Martin Cullen, T.D. today (Thursday 17th November 2005) outlined some of the highlights for Transport 21 in 2006 following the publication of the Estimates. Fuller details on the implementation of Transport 21 the Government's major investment programme will be given in the Budget.

"Today's Estimate gives just the first taste of what is to come in Transport 21 over the years ahead. The plan in full will reshape Irish Transport infrastructure for the decades to come," Minister Cullen said.

"The full 2006 impact of Transport 21 which was published in the last two weeks will be dealt with in the Budget and in the Revised Estimates. Today's Estimate is just a snapshot and a flavour of what is to come", the Minister said. "The flag is raised on Transport 21. However given the long lead times to construction, the real step up in capital investment will occur in 2007. The work is now well underway across the delivery agencies and next year's revised estimate is fully consistent with the implementation of Transport 21."

In terms of public transport, next year will see construction beginning on:
* The Luas extension to Cherrywood;
* Kildare route four tracking;
* New Docklands rail station;
* Cork Commuter Services development;
* Portlaoise traincare depot;

Planning and design work will be advanced on:
* DART line resignalling;
* Phase 1 of the rail line to Navan (Dunboyne);
* Phase 1 of the Western Rail Corridor (Ennis-Athenry);
* Luas Docklands extension;
* Luas Cross-City link;
* Luas Citywest extension;
* Metro.

Also, funding is being provided for significant investment in additional buses in 2006, particularly in the Greater Dublin Area

National Roads Programme

The investment comprises €1.3 billion for road improvements and

€55 million for road maintenance. In addition an estimated €240 million of Public Private Partnership funding will be invested in national road projects during 2006.

The level of funding being provided will maintain the current pace and momentum. By the end of this year, 10 projects will be completed and a further 17 in construction.

The 2006 National Roads Development Programme will ensure:
- the commencement of work on 11 projects (291 kms) including the N3 Clonee to Kells, Phase 2 of the M50 upgrade, the Waterford City Bypass and Phase 2 of the N6 Kinnegad to Athlone;
- the completion of work on 14 projects ( 86.5 kms) including the Dublin Port tunnel, the Naas road upgrade and Bypasses of Ashbourne, Cavan, Mullingar, Bundoran/Ballyshannon and Monaghan;
- ongoing work on 10 projects (133 kms) including the N1 Border to Dundalk and the Ennis and Arklow/Gorey Bypasses which are due for completion post 2006;
- the major ongoing programme of pavement restoration and renewal works on national secondary routes;
- planning and design work on projects throughout the country for commencement in 2007 and later years.

Minister Cullen said "the 2006 Estimate of €2.2 billion is the first step towards the delivery of Transport 21 and the implementation of an integrated transport policy for 21st Century Ireland. The additional capacity and increased frequency of services already in evidence as a result of the massive investment of over €2 billion since 1999 will be further augmented by an investment, from this Estimate which is only part of the story, of €750 million in 2006. Some €1.4 billion will be invested in the National Roads Development Programme and almost €21 million will be invested in our Regional Airports".