Darren O'Rourke
Question:178. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport how many local authorities have published active travel plans to date. [28899/23]
View answerThursday, 15 June 2023
Questions (178, 179)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:179. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport which local authorities have published active travel plans to date. [28900/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 179 together.
The Deputy will be aware that funding for walking and cycling infrastructure has increased significantly in recent years in line with the Government's prioritisation of active travel as a transport mode. To this end, it is important for local authorities, in liaison with the National Transport Authority (NTA) to plan their infrastructure projects to ensure that the increased investment is spent on projects that will have the greatest impact.
To this end, the NTA is working with local authorities on two specific work streams, namely CycleConnects and Pedestrian Enhancement Plans. CycleConnects will create an overall comprehensive cycle network for Ireland through the development of planned cycling links in key cities, towns and villages in each county. The cycling plans for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) have already been published, and the proposed CycleConnects plans for the 22 counties outside the GDA were published for public consultation in 2022 and are planned to be finalised later this year.
The NTA is also working with local authorities to develop Pedestrian Enhancement Plans which will identify areas where investment in footpath infrastructure and other measures to support and protect pedestrians and encourage walking as a transport mode would be best allocated. In line with targets in the my Department's National Sustainable Mobility Policy, these Plans will be delivered for the five cities by end 2023, and for regional growth centres and key towns by end 2024.
While I am aware that certain local authorities, such as Fingal County Council, have developed specific Active Travel strategies, for the majority of local authorities the development of CycleConnects and the Pedestrian Enhancement Plans will serve as a strategy for future Active Travel investment in the coming years.
Question No. 179 answered with Question No. 178.