Cullen pledges 367km of roads, docklands station

The Minister for Transport, Mr Cullen, has promised new roads and improvements in public transport, including extra quality bus corridors and a new train station in Dublin's docklands.

Speaking at a press conference after the Minister for Finance published his Book of Estimates for 2005, Mr Cullen said he had secured €2.119 billion, an increase of 7 per cent, for his department.

He said 367 kilometres of new roads would be built during the year. The total amount of money spent on roads programmes is to increase by 7 per cent to €1.319 billion.

The strategy will continue to focus on the completion of the five major intercity routes to motorway or dual carriageway standard, the completion of the Dublin Port Tunnel and the M50 upgrade.

Road programmes starting next year are to include the link road from Dundalk to the Border, the N3 Clonee bypass, the N4 Edgeworthstown bypass and the N25 Waterford city bypass.

Some €9 million has been earmarked for to deliver integrated ticketing in Dublin starting with the Luas in the New Year, followed by Dublin Bus later in 2005.

More than 100 new rail carriages will be bought, including 36 for the Sligo/Maynooth line. The Dart will see a 30 per cent increase in capacity, and 67 Intercity carriages will be introduced on the Dublin-Cork line, Mr Cullen said.

A new rail station in the docklands area of Dublin will relieve capacity constraints on nearby Connolly Station and allow for increased service, particularly on the Western suburban line.

Five new quality bus corridors will be constructed in Dublin, three in Cork and one extra route in Galway. Some €10 million has been set aside for improving public transport accessibility for those with mobility and sensory impairments.