TD questions motorway services policy

A TD has questioned the policy of the National Roads Authority of building motorway service areas as public-private partnerships, when offering the option to private-only developments wouldn't cost the taxpayer anything, writes Brian Byrne.

Martin Heydon TD, FG/Kildare South, queried Transport Minister Leo Varadker TD as to why the NRA is 'charging ahead' with a state-led approach to the issue of providing on-line services.

“The NRA propose that the service areas are built as Public Private Partnerships and do not consider the potential for private enterprise to develop them first," Deputy Heydon said. “There is no reference in the draft policy to Junction 14 on the M7 at Monasterevin which is very successful, did not cost the taxpayer a penny and I believe is a good model for the provision of service areas around the country."

Noting that the Trans European Transport Networks (Ten-T) policy doesn’t require the provision of such stations until 2030, the deputy acknowledged that some service areas are needed sooner than that. "But rather than having the taxpayer on the hook for the cost involved, we should give some time and consideration to offering the development opportunities to private industry first.

“At present the NRA is developing a site between junctions 2 and 3 on the M9 at Kilcullen, Co. Kildare. A previous tender failed to get a private investor to part fund this in a PPP arrangement as it is only 25km from the nearest service station. One wonders why they are developing this, spending taxpayers money on a site that will require a new motorway bridge and is 25Km from the nearest station, when Ten-T policy advises a distance of 100 km between such stations?

“The NRA is looking to compete on a commercial basis in the provision of services on or next to our main roads, which is not actually in its remit. The NRA’s role is to develop a safe and efficient national road network. State intervention should be the last resort where the private commercial sector fails to provide service areas.

“The public consultation on the draft policy is open until the 23rd of June and I encourage private enterprise to make submissions on the role they can play in providing these service areas for our national road network.”

Service Area opens at Enfield on M4

The first official Motorway Service Area on the M4 officially opened yesterday at Enfield, Co Kildare. It will ensure safe, relaxed travel for road users travelling on the NRA's motorway system and should contribute to better and safer motoring.

The new Service Area will see facilities on either side of the M4 Motorway, providing facilites like those seen in continental Europe, specific services for both hauliers and private motorists including designated parking for 117 cars, 8 motorbikes, 6 coaches and 28 HGVs.

The MSAs are family friendly with everything from bottle heating facilities and changing rooms to indoor and outdoor playgrounds, as well as food outlets like Burger King, Costa Coffee and an aCafe. There is indoor seating for 160 diners as well as outdoor seats.

The venture will provide 100 news jobs for Kildare, and 300 new jobs nationally.

The MSA contract sees the wholly Irish consortium investing €70 million in the Irish economy. Applegreen convenience stores, Pierse Contracting and TOP make up the SuperStop consortium.

3m people take over motorway

A claimed three million pedestrians, skaters and cyclists took over a 60km stretch of the motorway between Dortmund and Duisburg on Sunday in a massive party to celebrate the region's Cultural Capital of Europe 2010.

The road was closed to motorists and some 20,000 tables were set up to cater for the 'longest banquet in the world'.

It was arguably the world's biggest picnic too. The event was called 'Still Life'.