Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Oct 2003

Vol. 571 No. 4

Written Answers. - Cycle Facilities.

Arthur Morgan

Question:

458 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Transport if his Department will require future plans for new roads in urban and suburban areas to provide for cycle lanes; and if a review is planned in respect of cycle lanes on existing roads. [22371/03]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

The NRA is required in the construction and maintenance of national roads to take account of the needs of all road users. It should be noted, however, that: a) the bulk of the upgrade work on national roads is currently focused on the inter-urban sections of national primary routes where there is limited demand and scope for cycle facilities; b) the provision of town and village by-passes will provide greater capacity on the existing routes by removing through traffic; and c) many sections of the major inter-urban routes are being upgraded to motorway standard and this will not be available to cyclists.

In regard to upgrade work on national roads in urban and suburban areas, I understand that the NRA co-operates with local authorities and, in the greater Dublin area, with the DTO in the provision of cycle facilities as part of an integrated approach at local level to overall traffic management.

In the greater Dublin area significant work has been undertaken by the Dublin Transportation Office and local authorities in relation to the promotion of cycling and the provision of suitable facilities 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 km 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 plan for cycling 2003-2006.

In 2000, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government which is responsible for regional and local roads 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 on regional and local roads 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. My Department will also be discussing with the NRA the further development of its policy in relation to the facilitation of cycling as a transport mode particularly outside the major inter-urban route network.

Question No. 459 answered with Question No. 438.