Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator McDowell. I welcome the Minister of State. I know he is looking at this matter within the Department of Transport. I appreciate his time coming in and speaking on this issue. This relates to the Galway to Athlone cycleway, which will transform our towns and local communities in the west with a world-class cycleway linking towns and completing probably the first coast-to-coast, Galway to Dublin route. There is now a cycleway bridge crossing the River Shannon. This off-road route is so popular in Athlone, if I could bring the Minister of State to see it, he would see people walking, bringing out prams and buggies and people with mobility challenges. It is a very easy and safe off-road space to walk. It is very popular not just with cyclists but also pedestrians. It is a safe space. I ran a major campaign in Ballinasloe and east Galway to promote the cycleway over the past number of years, particularly during the consultation process on the different routes and to highlight the incredible benefits and boost to local towns. I acknowledge the support of landowners who look at this in terms of the benefits to their communities. A lot of the focus is on maximising the use of State lands such as the Royal Canal towpath. Coming into Ballinasloe, it is the Grand Canal towpath. It is about using State lands and maximising that use as much as possible. The cycleway office for the Galway to Athlone cycleway is based in Ballinasloe. Most recently, in April, there was a statement that the emerging preferred route from Athlone to Galway was now proposed in two sections. There are challenges with rising costs for contractors. The first section is Athlone to Shannonbridge, Ballinasloe and Portumna, led by Westmeath County Council. The second, Portumna to Galway, is led by Galway County Council. Both sections will link to the existing Waterways Ireland cycleway in Portumna. As the Minister of State will be aware, the reason for this new framework process is to identify suitable providers or reduce the risk by sharing project delivery. When will a project of this national importance and priority be delivered? The timeline has now been pushed, potentially, by another 18 months or two years. Young children come up to me and ask when we will get the cycleway because we have done so much about it. We have always prioritised it, yet we do not have it. There is no public park, for example, in the local area. There are beautiful boglands but cars compete with walkers and cyclists.We need this work to be completed as soon as is feasible. We need to look at moving this project forward. The next stage is about completing the engineering and environmental designs and assessments for submission to An Bord Pleanála, together with the environmental impact assessment report and a Natura impact statement.

I acknowledge the work of senior engineers in particular within the local authorities and in the office in Ballinasloe. These local authorities include Westmeath, Galway and Roscommon. There has been great commitment, engagement and dedication, particularly by our liaison officers, that is, those groups and liaisons who work with landowners on this and who have done so much communication. I organised public meetings in person and when Covid-19 hit, we had online meetings in which we brought people from those offices together to talk to people about the cycleway and the routes and so on.

This is a major project. How will it be ensured that resources are in place? How will the Minister of State move this forward to planning approved and construction? What is the budget for this project?

This will transform our region and it will be a way to boost community activity. We talk about how we are delivering balanced, regional investment for the whole country. Everyone can see the benefits of cycleways, from Mayo down to Dungarvan. The benefits and the impact are known. It is a wonderful thing for families to go away for a weekend or take a week off and bring children to have a wonderful, outdoor activity holiday, which will hopefully be in the sunshine.

The key part here is that we have been doing this for years. I was involved in this consultation nearly three to four years ago. Can the Minister of State give us an update on how we progress this?