Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2009
247 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Transport the details of the planned new cycle path in Dublin city along the Grand Canal; if this path will run along a stretch of the canal (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41460/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraDublin City Council has developed plans for an off-road cycle route via the Grand Canal, the new Samuel Beckett Bridge and the Royal Canal to provide a link from Portobello to Fairview Park. At the same time South Dublin County Council is developing an exemplary cycling route between Adamstown and Inchicore. The stretch referred to in the Question lies outside of the scope of the current proposal but would be the missing element in creating a first class cycle way from Adamstown to the city. I am delighted to see the development of new cycle routes in response to the National Cycle Policy Framework which I launched this year. Indeed, there are proposals for exemplary schemes from many other Local Authorities.
I am providing some modest funding to assist Dublin City Council investigate the feasibility of connecting the aforementioned projects. Any detailed proposal that Dublin City Council may wish to make in relation a canal-based cycle network in Dublin 8 will be considered by my Department in the context of progress with the Portobello to Fairview Park project, proposals by other local authorities and competing demands for scarce financial resources.
