Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2301. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to receipt of a letter from Dublin City Council dated 21 May 2018, if he will meet with councillors to discuss cycling infrastructure. [35204/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport, however, I am not directly involved in the day-to-day operations of cycling infrastructure.
In Budget 2018 I secured over €110m in capital funding which is specifically allocated to develop cycling and walking infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford over the period 2018-2021. Allocation of this funding is by the National Transport Authority to the various local authorities who progress the planning and implementation of individual projects. In addition to this, €55m will be spent in this same four year period on Greenways where the greenway programme will be largely aimed at providing an enhanced tourism and leisure amenity.
A further €135m capital funding has been allocated over this same period for investment in Sustainable Urban Transport projects. These will include projects that will provide either direct or indirect improvements for urban cycling. Again, allocation of this funding is by the National Transport Authority to the various local authorities who progress the planning and implementation of individual projects.
Furthermore, investment in the BusConnects Programme that will initially roll-out in Dublin in this period, will deliver a transformative investment package that will finance new and expanded bus routes and greatly improve bus access, This plan is not just about buses, in fact, this plan will provide much needed cycling facilities and make it easier and more attractive to cycle around the city region. Given the increasing number of cyclists across Dublin there is an imperative to provide safe and segregated cycling facilities where possible and NTA calculates includes that over 200 kms of cycle tracks/lanes will be either built or current lanes improved upon. This initiative is the foundation of the overall cycle network that has been planned for the Greater Dublin Area.
In addition to funding for the provision of infrastructure, my Department continues to be very active in promoting behavioural change to encourage more people to take up cycling and to cycle safely. DTTaS provides funding to the NTA on an annual basis for the delivery of behavioural change programmes such as Workplace and Campus travel programmes and the Green Schools Programmes. My Department also engaged Cycling Ireland to develop a new national cycle training standard - "Cycle Right" – which commenced its roll out in January 2017 to primary school students. 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. As part of an overall coordinated approach to the provision of an integrated sustainable transport network of cycling, walking and public transport, these various investments will support and lead to a further increase in the numbers cycling safely, thereby easing congestion, improving public health and enhancing the liveability of our towns and cities; the investment will, I believe, have a lasting transformative effect on our transport network over the coming years.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the development and implementation of sustainable transport infrastructure including cycling in accordance with the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (2016-2035) and the GDA Cycling Network. To this end, the NTA, through allocating funding received from my Department, works closely with all Local Authorities, including Dublin City Council. There is no doubt that the investments proposals discussed earlier will require choices to be made and tough decisions to be taken. The NTA, therefore, relies on the essential support that Dublin City Councillors play in the planning and delivery of sustainable infrastructure including cycling infrastructure set out in the strategies discussed above if we are to realise the benefits for the travelling public including cyclists.
Given the level of investment being allocated by NTA to local authorities to develop and implement cycling infrastructure and schemes, I have responded to Dublin City Council that I believe that a meeting with the NTA would be much more beneficial in discussing the details of the motion raised.
