Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 18 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 6

Written Answers. - National Cycle Network.

Eamon Ryan

Question:

286 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the work done in Northern Ireland by an organisation (details supplied) in developing a 630 kilometre cycle network which includes cross-Border links along the award winning Foyle Valley Greenway and the Kingfisher Trail; if his Department will support the development of a similar all-Ireland cycle network of safe cycling routes for use by both local and tourist cyclists; if his Department will support the development of a Belfast to Dublin cycle route as part of such an all-Ireland cycle network; and if he will support the development of the Irish national cycle network in order that it links to the development of a similar route in Wales. [17202/03]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan):

To date, neither my Department nor I has been informed of the work in Northern Ireland and Wales of the organisation referred to by the Deputy. I have asked my Department to seek further details to allow us to ascertain what potential role, if any, may be played by my Department, the NRA and relevant local authorities in relation to this project.

More generally in relation to the promotion of cycling and the provision of suitable facilities, significant work has been undertaken by the Dublin Transportation Office and the greater Dublin local authorities with the assistance of traffic management grant funding for local authorities administered by the DTO. A high priority continues to be afforded to funding the provision by local authorities of cycle routes under this grant scheme. To date, 170 kilometres of cycle network, QBC cycle facilities and dedicated cycle facilities, have been constructed in the greater Dublin area, together with 2,500 cycle parking spaces. I understand that the DTO is currently conducting a review of the regional cycle strategy and facilities together with development of a four year action plan for cycling 2003-06.

In 2000, the Department of the Environment and Local Government also introduced regional traffic management grants for the first time for the city councils of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. Under this scheme, funding is provided for the upgrading of pedestrian and cycle facilities, traffic signalling, bus lanes and traffic calming in residential areas. A revised cycling design manual, which will be national in application, is also in preparation and should be published by the DTO in 2003.