Minister's plea over Christmas road safety

The roads could be a safer place this Christmas if every person plays their part by obeying the law, a senior minister said today.

Minister for Transport Martin Cullen called on all road users to make a major effort to make travelling safer in the days up to Christmas.

“I am asking all road users to also drive within the speed limit and to wear a seat belt. Obeying the law does not cost money. Refusing to obey it could cost you your life or that of someone else travelling on the road.

"This Christmas, our roads could be safer if all of us co-operate and play our part. We must make that happen,” he said, as he turned the sod on the 38-kilometre N7 Nenagh-to-Limerick road project.

Mr Cullen said drink driving was not acceptable at any time of year, but he added: “It is essential that during this social and festive season we are particularly conscious of the dangers of drink driving. If you want to have a drink, please leave your car keys at home.”

The N7 road project, which is expected to be completed by summer 2009, forms a key link among the south-west, mid-west and Dublin.

The project includes 28 kilometres of dual carriageway and the upgrading of 10 kilometres of the Nenagh bypass to dual-carriageway standard.

“The N7 road is particularly busy, as it forms part of the major inter-urban corridor, Limerick-to-Dublin.

"It is one of the key links between the south-west, mid-west and Dublin.

"In addition to the road improvements making travelling much easier for thousands of drivers each day, the upgrade of the road will be of great benefit to the people of north Tipperary and Limerick, reducing journey times and giving greater journey-time certainty,” Mr Cullen said.

Around 25,000 vehicles travel on the N7 route approaching Limerick each day, with around 13,000 vehicles on the Nenagh section of the road.

“The new, improved road, when complete, will enhance the daily commute from towns like Nenagh and Roscrea to Limerick city for work and this in turn will attract more people to live in this region, thus benefiting all the local communities.

“Families and workers will be able to go about their daily lives in a more efficient way and business will be able to do business more effectively,” Mr Cullen said.

The new road, being built by Bóthair Hibernian, will link the Limerick Southern Ring Road with the existing Nenagh bypass.

Plans are also under way to develop the stretch of road on the N7 from Castletown to Nenagh. It is proposed that 37 kilometres of dual carriageway running from south of Borris-in-Ossory to the eastern end of the Nenagh bypass will be built.

Peter Malone, chairman of the National Roads Authority, said: “2006 has seen significant investment on the Limerick-to-Dublin N7 route, with great progress on three major schemes.”

He added: “We are on target to complete the N7 route by 2010 in line with Government policy under the Transport 21 plan.”

Mr Cullen, who visited Thurles train station, said there werey 22 trains passing through each weekday and this would increase to 36 trains daily with an almost-hourly service in place from early next year.