the Bois Marchand Highway, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Road Development Authority…
(No. B/1202) Dr. S. Prayag (First Member for Piton & Rivière du Rempart) asked the Minister of National Infrastructure whether, in regard to the Bois Marchand Highway, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Road Development Authority, information as to whether consideration will be given for the installation of solid and permanent barriers along same with a view to preventing pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists from dangerously crossing same, to reduce risks of fatal accidents and provision of additional street lighting along that specific stretch thereof.
Madam Speaker, the Road Development Authority is responsible for the construction, care, maintenance and improvement of motorways and main roads. The stretch
44 of motorway M2 linking the Terre Rouge Flyover to the Calebasses interchange is a dual carriage way segment that passes through the region of Bois Marchand. Along this section of the motorway, the north bound carriage way runs alongside the Bois Marchand Cemetery while the south bound carriage way borders both the Cemetery and the Bois Marchand Village. A pedestrian footbridge has been provided for safe crossing. The central verge, separating the two carriage ways is approximately three meters wide and consist of a turf area with low decorative shrubs. Madam Speaker, I am informed by the hon. Minister of Land Transport that a road crash analysis was carried out along the stretch of motorway M2 at Bois Marchand, using the Internet Micro-Computer Accident Analysis Package Software. Over the past five years, a total of twelve accidents have been recorded along this section. Among those, one resulted in a fatality, three resulted in serious injuries and twelve resulted in slight injuries. Most of the accidents involved pedestrians and two-wheelers. According to police reports, the accidents occurred mainly during dark hours and were attributed to unsafe road crossing behaviour, the absence of street lighting and the lack of safety fencing along the central reservation. I am further informed by the RDA that from an engineering stand point, this section of the motorway is equipped with adequate safeguards. However, it has been observed that some persons are engaged in unsafe practices by crossing the motorway illegally, despite the availability of pedestrian footbridge. This behaviour poses significant risk to pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and motorists alike. In order to address the above issues, I have directed the RDA to carry out a joint site visit with the Traffic Management and Road Safety Unit, the police and the relevant local authorities to assess the situation on site and identify the most appropriate mitigation measures and long-term solutions. In the meantime, I requested the police to reinforce surveillance and enforcement under the Road Traffic Act in the area to deter unsafe crossing practices. Madam Speaker, as regards street lighting along this stretch, the RDA has informed that responsibility for street lighting on existing roads falls under the local authorities. I am further informed that as per established procedure, street lightings installed by the RDA along motorways, is subsequently handed over to the relevant local authority for maintenance which is normally carried out by the CEB under an existing Memorandum of Understanding.
45 I will take up the matter with my colleague the hon. Minister of Local Government so that the need for further lighting along the stretch may be considered. Madam Speaker, the RDA also intends to progressively replace the existing street lighting by solar street lighting along motorway M1 from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport to La Vigie. The project will be implemented in phases: with the first phase covering the section from the airport to the Gros Bois roundabout. Financial clearance for phase 1 has already been sought for the replacement of the existing grid connected street lighting by solar street lighting.
Yes, Dr. Prayag!
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I wish to thank the hon. Minister for his reply. Can the hon. Minister just take into consideration the fact that many people tend to cross the road there, and they don’t go through accidents and this is quite a serious happening, maybe it will help during the conversation with the Ministry of the Local Government? Thank you.
Madam Speaker, the hon. Member will be invited for the site meeting where there will be the police, the RDA and the TMRSU and we’ll rely on his contribution to see mitigation measures.
Thank you. Now, the next question B/1203 has been withdrawn. Now, I will ask First Member for Port Louis North and Montagne Longue, Ms Savabaddy! KREOL MORISIEN – SECONDARY SCHOOLS – NCE & SC EXAMINATIONS – EDUCATORS