Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 300: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of cycle lanes which will be provided in the next 12 months in Galway City and their location. [22714/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by Galway City Council that existing cycle lanes in Galway include the following:

Hard Shoulders are provided on the N6 from the Browne Roundabout to the city limits (6500m x 2), on the N17, and on the Oranmore Coast Road.

However, following consultation by Galway City Council with the Galway Cycling Campaign different approaches are being adopted with a number of current schemes.

As part of the "Headford Road Traffic Calming Scheme", funded by the NRA, footpath widths are generally being increased to three metres. On the carriageway, where traffic islands are being installed lane widths are being increased to a minimum of four metres to accommodate on-road cyclists. Works on this scheme are due to start in the coming week and to be completed by the end of August.

Last year shared facilities by way of an inbound bus lane, funded by my Department, were provided on the Dublin Road between the Skerritt Roundabout and the Renmore Road. Subsequent to the commencement of this work, the Galway Cycling Campaign raised concerns with regard to the need to increase the width of the outbound lane and, following receipt of an application from Galway City Council, funding has been allocated by my Department for the width of the outbound lane to be increased. Design documents have been prepared and Galway City Council is currently consulting with the Galway Cycling Campaign on the proposed works. These works are expected to be completed by the end of September.

The extension of the Dublin Road bus lane back to Doughiska, funded by my Department, is due for completion in the coming weeks. Following consultation with the Galway Cycling Campaign, a 1.5 metres wide hard shoulder is being provided, between the entrance to Merlin Park and Doughiska, on the outbound side.

Recent traffic calming measures on the Siobhan McKenna Road included cycle by-passes on one-way narrowing points.

It is anticipated that the most significant development of cycle facilities in Galway in the near future will arise as a consequence of the development of bus lanes recommended by the Strategic Galway Bus Study. This study, which is being funded by my Department, is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.