I propose to take Questions Nos. 532 and 533 together.
The provision of cycle facitities on non-national roads, may be funded from local authorities' own resources provision or from the discretionary improvement grant made available by my Department. My Department's memorandum on grants for non-national roads 1996 - 1999 reminds local authorities of the need to ensure that the surface of hard shoulders is adequately maintained so as to ensure the safety and convenience of pedal cyclists, particularly where a significant number of cyclists use the road, and states that consideration should be given to the provision of facilities for cyclists where such is warranted on existing roads in urban areas and in the development of new road schemes.
The provision and funding of cycle lanes on national roads is a matter for local authorities and the National Roads Authority.