Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2018
103. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the proposed cycle route along the seafront from Sandymount to Dún Laoghaire as part of the proposed Sutton to Sandycove route; and if the project will be allocated capital funding from the €110 million allocated for new urban cycling routes in the four year enhanced capital envelope outlined in budget 2018. [25401/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public and sustainable transport. With the increased multi-annual capital funding that I secured as part of Budget 2018, €110 million is specifically allocated to developing "active travel" (i.e. cycling and walking) infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, and in the cities of Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford over the period 2018-2021. This programme will provide safe alternative active travel routes to help alleviate congestion by providing viable alternatives and connectivity with existing public transport infrastructure. This investment is in addition to the substantial improvement in cycling infrastructure that will be carried out as part of both the BusConnects programme and the investment that is allocated for sustainable urban transport initiatives.
My Department allocates overall funding to the National Transport Authority (NTA) that is responsible for the development and implementation of public transport and sustainable transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), who provide onward funding to the various local authorities who progress and implement cycling infrastructure schemes. This includes the proposed Sutton to Sandycove route that forms part of GDA Cycle Network Plan which was published by the NTA in 2014.
The detail and timing of individual projects, including the proposed cycle route along the seafront from Sandymount to Dun Laoghaire as part of the proposed Sutton to Sandycove route, is a matter for the National Transport Authority working in conjunction with the relevant local authorities who progress the individual schemes.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply with regard to this particular project. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
