Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 November 2021
213. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the reason Action 106 in the new Climate Action Plan to deliver a network of safe, segregated cycling facilities has been delayed; the mitigation measures that are being put in place to ensure no further delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55402/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is firmly committed to encouraging the use of walking, cycling and other active travel methods, and this has been signalled by almost tripling the budget for Active Travel in 2021. This year, and each successive year up to 2025 at least, we will see approximately €360 million per annum, 20% of our total transport budget, invested in Ireland’s walking and cycling infrastructure to provide a safe and connected network to those who wish to commute to work or school via healthy and sustainable transport modes.
Active travel, such as walking, cycling and scooting, will play a key role in the decarbonisation of the transport sector. Encouraging a modal shift away from traditionally fossil-fuelled vehicles and towards active modes of travel also has the additional benefit of improving mental and physical health, something which has come into sharp focus in the past year with COVID-19.
Action 106 the Deputy referred to had been delayed awaiting publication of the Climate Action Plan before the final 5-Year Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Delivery Plan is published to ensure coherence between both documents in terms of active travel actions and targets.
With the recent publication of the Climate Action Plan 2021 and the commitment therein to reallocate road space to pedestrians and cyclists I expect to receive a revised 5 Year Cycling and Walking Plan shortly from the National Transport Authority and will aim to publish it shortly thereafter.
