Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Ward for raising this issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien, who unfortunately could not be here this afternoon. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this important topic with Members of the House on his behalf.

I understand that the Deputy's question relates to the proposal to create a continuous 22 km waterfront promenade and cycleway connecting Sutton to Sandycove. As he is aware, the Department of Transport has responsibility for the provision of funding and setting of policy in relation to active travel, while the National Transport Authority, NTA, has responsibility for the allocation of this funding to projects at local authority level and overseeing their delivery.

The significant increase in funding for walking and cycling infrastructure projects in recent years is welcome. Approximately €290 million was provided to the NTA's active and sustainable transport programme this year alone, supporting projects in every local authority. A continuation of this high level of investment was confirmed in the recent budget.

The Sutton to Sandycove cycleway, also commonly referred to as the east coast trail, is a long-standing proposal to deliver a world-class active travel corridor that celebrates Dublin's coastal heritage while supporting national objectives around sustainable mobility, climate action and placemaking.

Its alignment has been under development for over two decades. Despite the incremental nature of its progress, the project remains a strategic priority for both the NTA and the Department of Transport and much has been delivered to date.

The route begins in Sutton, which the Deputy will probably know, where a two-way cycle facility is provided along the waterfront, traversing Dublin Road, Howth Road, James Larkin Road, and Clontarf Road. From there, it branches onto Alfie Byrne Road and continues toward Dublin Port. A protected two-way cycle facility connects Alfie Byrne Road to the recently completed East Wall Road scheme. While a short section at the eastern end of East Wall Road remains incomplete, Dublin City Council is actively developing proposals to close this gap. Once delivered, this section will link into phase 2 of the Dublin Port greenway, currently under construction, which will connect East Wall Road to the East Link.

To facilitate safe and direct passage across the River Liffey, Dublin City Council is preparing designs for The Point pedestrian and cycle bridge. This new crossing, located west of the existing Tom Clarke Bridge, will provide a segregated route for pedestrians and cyclists and will link into the cycle infrastructure planned under the Ringsend to city centre BusConnects corridor. South of the river, the route continues along Pembroke Cottages, into Ringsend Park and onto Strand Road, where a trial of a two-way cycle facility is anticipated, subject to funding. From Strand Road, the trail transitions onto Merrion Road, which is scheduled for upgrades under BusConnects, before reaching the recently completed two-way cycleway along Rock Road. This section, delivered by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, leads into Blackrock Park. At Blackrock DART station, the Deepwell section of the cycleway is currently in design. Its delivery is contingent on ongoing discussions with landowners. Continuing southward, the route follows a quietway along Idrone Terrace, leading to a contraflow lane on Maretimo Terrace. This connects to the coastal mobility route.

The outstanding sections of the alignment are active projects and are being progressed through various stages of planning, design and delivery. While timelines may vary depending on funding, statutory approvals and local conditions, it is anticipated that most of the route will be completed by 2030.

This target reflects both the ambition and the complexity of the project, which spans multiple jurisdictions and requires co-ordinated action across agencies and sectors. This cycleway represents a transformative opportunity for Dublin’s communities. It will enhance local and regional connectivity, support modal shift away from private car use, and contribute to the creation of vibrant, liveable public spaces. As the project continues to evolve, collaboration between local authorities, transport agencies and community stakeholders will be essential to realising its full potential.

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