Eamon Ryan
Ceist:2299. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to encourage active travel in line with the national obesity policy and plan. [35189/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 24 July 2018
Ceisteanna (2299)
Freagraí scríofa
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to sustainable public transport including Active Travel measures.
Investment in walking and cycling infrastructure over recent years was delivered under a number of different programmes and schemes, namely the Smarter Travel Programme, Sustainable Transport Measures Grants (STMG) Programme and the Regional Cities Programme. These programmes funded projects involving integrated initiatives across a number of aspects of active/smarter travel and incorporated measures such as investment in cycle lanes, bike parking, footpaths, traffic calming measures, shared streets and other interventions that encourage and support modal shift to walking and cycling across the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and the regional cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that as part of my Departments overall strategy to increase the numbers walking and cycling, I was delighted to secure over €110m in capital funding which will be directly allocated to develop cycling and walking infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford over the period 2018-2021, which represents a threefold increase in funding on 2018 over the four year period. This programme will provide active travel routes to help alleviate congestion by providing viable alternatives and connectivity with existing public transport infrastructure. A further €135m capital funding is allocated over this same period for investment in Sustainable Urban Transport projects, including investment in active travel measures and those that encourage modal shift to Active Travel. In addition to this, €55m will be spent in this same four year period on Greenways outside of the 5 cities, and the greenway programme will be largely aimed at providing an enhanced tourism and leisure amenity.
Government's recently published Project Ireland 2040 identifies key investment public transport priorities including delivery of comprehensive cycling and walking network for Ireland’s cities. It also recognises the BusConnects programme that aims to overhaul the current bus system in Ireland’s cities. Commencing roll-out in Dublin, BusConnects is not just about buses. It will provide much needed cycling facilities and make it easier and more attractive to cycle around the city region and is calculated to either build or improve over 200km of cycle tracks/lanes and pedestrian, alongside bus routes on the key radial routes into the city centre. In addition, BusConnects also presents a unique opportunity to make a better environment for pedestrians as we improve these corridors. In particular, we will improve the quality of footpaths and pedestrian crossings as well as improving pedestrian facilities at junctions. We will also enhance key local centres with additional landscaping and outdoor amenities.
In addition to funding for the provision of infrastructure, my Department continues to be active in promoting behavioural change to encourage more people to take up cycling and to cycle safely. Funding is provided on an annual basis to the National Transport Authority for the delivery of behavioural change programmes such as Workplace and Campus Travel Programme and the Green Schools Travel Programmes. My Department also engaged Cycling Ireland to develop a new national cycle training standard - "Cycle Right" – which was rolled out in January 2017. My Department also supports the great work that is being done by RSA in the promotion of safe roads for all road users, including the more vulnerable users such as cyclists and pedestrians. In addition my Department provides funding to local authorities throughout the country to assist in organising events and activities during Bike Week which further serve to promote cycling.
Recognising the interdependency between the Obesity Policy, Action Plan and Active Travel, I trust the above sets out the many steps that I am taking to encourage Active Travel in line with the National Obesity Policy and Action Plan.