Two locations being explored for park and ride

The Government's being urged to extend the M3 motorway all the way to Cavan; while two locations are being explored to provide park and ride facilities on the N3.

Fianna Fáil's Niamh Smyth made the call during topical issues in the Dáil last week when she also voiced her support for protestors at Whitegate who are calling for road safety measures and a designated park and ride facility for commuters.

"Unfortunately, the motorway takes a sudden stop at Whitegate and we have a truncated version of that N3 all the way to Cavan town.

I am incredibly proud and supportive of the work the road section of Cavan County Council is doing to develop that into a motorway through County Cavan, as we deserve,and as County Meath has all the way down from Dublin into Cavan Town," she said.

In relation to the situation at Whitegate, Deputy Smyth described it as "chaotic, dangerous and very unsafe".

She pointed to park and ride facilities such as those at Garlow Cross in neighbouring County Meath and asked that such a facility be delivered on the N3 to benefit the many commuters travelling from Cavan to Dublin daily.

"We are a Government that is trying to promote public transport.

We are a Government that is trying to promote care for our environment and our planet. To do that, we have to provide the facilities so that people can use public transport to our capital city," said the Fianna Fáil Deputy.

"Each morning when I am driving up to the Dáil, I say to myself there will be an accident," warned Deputy Smyth.

Pointing to feasibility studies that have already been carried out, she urged all parties including Cavan County Council, TII, the NTA and Bus Eireann to work together to find a solution urgently.

Responding, Minister for State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers, said that the issue is being prioritised.

"TII, in collaboration with Cavan County Council, is investigating the provision of enhanced parking facilities and works to improve the safety of rural bus stops on the N3, much of which the Deputy has spoken to in her contribution. This work began early this year," he said.

The Minister revealed that three potential locations along the N3 had been identified for park and ride facilities.

"Cavan County Council has begun work to prepare feasibility and options reports for two of these locations. When that has concluded, we can provide a further update on progress," said Minister Chambers.