WRITTEN QUESTION P-1282/00

by Dana Scallon (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(12 April 2000)

Subject: Dublin-Sligo transport corridor

The Objective 1 Region of the north-west of Ireland is a peripheral region whose potential has not been exploited, largely because of its very poor infrastructure links.

In Ireland's recently published National Development Plan, the Irish Government has no plans to upgrade to dual carriageway/motorway standard the major corridor between Dublin and Sligo which is also the major link road for the entire north-western region. Only a short section (37 miles) between Dublin and Kinnegad and some town by-passes will be upgraded to motorway and dual carriageway standard. This decision was taken because the Government is of the opinion that current traffic flow does not justify investment. In the light of this statement, I would like to put the following questions to the Commission:

In the interests of regional and transport policy, this link should be given higher priority than it is being given at present. What is the Commission position on this point?

How does the Commission estimate the transport volume in this area? Does it have detailed statistics on this route? If so, does this volume justify upgrading?

Is the Commission of the opinion that upgrading the road systems would help the economic, social and industrial development of this region?

In its revised proposal regarding the Transeuropean Transport Networks, does the Commission commit itself to taking account of an upgrading of this route?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(10 May 2000)

The N4 road is included in Annex I of the Community guidelines for the development of the Trans European transport network (TEN-T) adopted by the Parliament and Council in 1996(1). As such the Community recognises the strategic importance of the N4 in helping to meet Community objectives for the smooth functioning of the single market and the strengthening of economic and social inclusion.

Article 9 of the guidelines states that the road element of the TEN-T should consist of motorways and high quality roads mldr that guarantee users a high uniform and continuous level of services comfort and safety. In addition, all projects of common interest for the development of the network should be potentially economically viable on the basis of socio-economic cost benefit analysis.

The Irish national development plan states that further major improvements will be undertaken on the N4 between Kinnegad and Sligo as part of a programme aiming to provide a high quality of service. The negotiation of the Community support framework has been finalised between the Commission and the Irish authorities. The framework does indeed, in relation to the Border, midlands and western region, envisage support for routes to the West and North-West. It specifically earmarks the N4 for improvement but, under the principle of subsidiarity, leaves the selection of specific projects to the national authority. However, in this connection the Commission has co-funded a roads needs study under the transport operational programme 1994-1999 which will now guide the selection of projects including improvements on the N4 and other routes to the West. The conclusions of this study together with more recent reviews of traffic volume are the safest way to proceed with decisions on upgrading for the better socio-economic development of the North-West. In addition, large infrastructure projects are subject to a cost benefit analysis and an environmental impact assessment. The rigorous application of these techniques gives greater assurance that upgrading of routes is justified on the basis of objective criteria.

The Commission is currently in the process of reviewing whether and how the TEN-T guidelines should be revised to take account of technological and economic changes. This review includes an examination of the maps of the network contained in Annex I. The findings of this review will be presented in a report that will be submitted to the Parliament and the Council this summer.

(1) Decision No 1692/96/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 1996 on Community guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network (OJ L 228, 9.9.1996).