Ahern regrets second tunnel was not built

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern regrets that a second tunnel under the river Liffey was not built, he told the Dáil yesterday. He said that most of Dublin port's heavy traffic going west or north goes to the M50.

"The exception is the traffic on the quays. That was the original reason for the suggestion that there should have been two tunnels, one of which would be under the Liffey. I regret that did not happen. I still think that creates a problem."

He also reiterated that the toll barriers at the West-Link plaza would not be removed. "The easiest solution would be to open the toll bridge, irrespective of the cost.

"However, all the studies concluded that this would create a bigger problem. All the wizards say it would help through traffic, but that until work on the M50 and the various junctions, including the Red Cow junction, is completed, it is better that this works its way through."

He added that even with the port tunnel the "downside is that the traffic will not be eliminated from the streets to the extent that is necessary. It will take a few years but it is better to get it done, one way or the other, even if we all have to suffer it in the meantime".

However, Minister for Transport Martin Cullen was more upbeat later yesterday. "Clearly we will get immediate benefits from the port tunnel," he told the Opposition. "I look forward to a similar outcome as we have achieved with the Naas dual carriageway." There "will be a dramatic reduction in journey times from the M50 to and from Dublin port. It will soon be a journey of some six minutes for hauliers".

In addition, "one of the huge impacts of the Dublin Port Tunnel which the Opposition would not refer to is the immediate benefit to the streets and people of Dublin".

He confirmed that about 1,500 five-axle heavy goods vehicles of the 6,300 that use Dublin port would have to use the West-Link section of the M50, following the opening of Dublin Port Tunnel. He said that "most of these will be at off-peak times as the ferries come into Dublin port early in the mornings".

The port tunnel, the largest civil engineering project ever undertaken in the State "will provide access for almost two million truck journeys to the motorway network, instead of through city streets and residential areas", Mr Cullen stressed.

Labour's transport spokeswoman Róisín Shortall questioned the figures and said that in a recent parliamentary question the Minister "used the figure of 2,200 trucks of five-plus axles. Of course we have all the lighter trucks, which will also be forced out on to the M50 and the West-Link".

She called on the Minister to acquire control of the barriers on the toll plaza so that at peak times the barriers could be lifted.

"We are going from a situation that is intolerable at the moment to a situation that is potentially impossible by next February," she said.