To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether DfI Roads considers traffic data, collected before any significant, new vehicular connections, within a development area becomes operational, in order to provide an adequate baseline for assessing the traffic impact of further development using the same road network.

My Department acts as a statutory consultee in the planning process and provides specialist road safety and transportation advice to the relevant Planning Authority.

Applicants are required to submit sufficient transport information to demonstrate that the impact of a proposed development on the surrounding road network is acceptable. For developments of a significant scale or nature, this will normally include a detailed Transport Assessment, supported by traffic surveys and appropriate junction modelling.

The traffic data used should provide a representative baseline for assessing the proposal. Where other developments or new road connections are approved, under construction or have a reasonable certainty of proceeding, their anticipated traffic impact is also taken into account. My officials review the information submitted and may seek updated or additional data where this is necessary to ensure that the assessment reflects the relevant circumstances on the road network.