Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this topical and important issue. I will give some of the historical background to the issue because what he is suggesting was considered when the first Luas plans were being drawn up. The original plan was to run a cycleway alongside the Luas, right the way through along all the sections. It makes obvious sense. It is flat terrain and would provide a direct route into town, existing alongside Dundrum Road, which is difficult and dangerous, so it made a great deal of sense. At the last minute it was felt we would have to consider upgrading the Luas from light rail status to metro status and, literally at the last minute, it was decided to take out the cycle facility. It was considered that a slightly wider breadth width would be needed for a fast-moving, potential driverless metro train. The Dundrum bridge design was changed at that time to cater for the heavier requirements a metro would involve. Now it is uncertain as to whether that metro route will use that line.

As part of the greater Dublin strategy review, we are currently considering three options. The first is the metro extending south from Ranelagh either south-west to Terenure, Rathfarnham and Knocklyon. The second is to go up the green line, which would involve considerable disruption. It would be difficult to convert it, even though it was originally designed to be metro compatible, for a variety of reasons which I will not go into. The third option is to run the line south-east via Donnybrook to UCD and Stillorgan to Sandyford and in that way cope with long-term traffic demand on the green line. If it transpires we will not use the green line, it would make sense to reconsider the original design proposal, which was to run a cycle facility parallel to the line. Knowing the line very well, as I am sure the Senator does, there are certain sections where that would be very difficult now. However, I agree with the Senator. There is real potential.

Regardless of what happens, if we consider, as the Senator suggested, for example, having cantilever cycling facilities either side of the nine arches bridge, that would give a very attractive, safe route and provide a relatively easier way into town. Another example would be to use Dundrum bridge, and if people were travelling from Taney Road, and the Senator will know that area, they would be able to cross over and follow that route. I absolutely will commit to asking my officials to look at that design option. We have to wait and see the outcome of the consideration of the three different metro route options. My view is it is not likely the green line will be the metro route because of the significant disruption that would involve. We would have to close it for two years. We will come back and look at it.

The wider issue in Dún Laoghaire and across the city and country is that there is great potential in the shift we need to make to create safe cycling infrastructure. My frustration is the length of time that has passed and the lack of priority it has been given in past decades. At the time we were considering putting cycling facilities along the Luas line, we were also considering sections of what is known as the Sutton to Sandycove route. The Senator will know the pinch point at the Blackrock DART station. Between Deepwell Gardens and the station there is a narrow pinch point, which is the key missing link to creating a spectacular service. I remember at the time, which must be 25 year ago, being told it would be addressed shortly, and now, 25 years, later thousands of people use the facility but those pinch points are still in place. The rest of the facility in Dún Laoghaire along that route is excellent. If we could deal with the pinch points such as that one in Blackrock, it would be of significant advantage to all the people of our city.