Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 51: To ask the Minister for Transport the support he will provide for the construction of a Dublin canals cycle lane system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46000/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The potential role that canals can play in delivering both a sustainable transport future and a culture of cycling in Ireland is recognised in the Smarter Travel policy document and in Ireland's First National Cycle Policy Framework.

The planning and development of canal-based cycle lanes in the Dublin city area is a matter for Dublin City Council in conjunction with Waterways Ireland and other relevant agencies. A good start has been made on the development of a canal-based route in the city through the Council's plans for an off-road cycle route via the Grand Canal, the new Samuel Beckett Bridge and the Royal Canal to provide a link from Portobello to Fairview Park. I announced my intention in September last to provide financial assistance of up to €10 million to the project in view of its potential not only to facilitate cyclists but also in view of the associated works which will significantly improve pedestrian safety at eleven junctions along the route.

At the same time, South Dublin County Council is developing, with financial assistance from my Department, an exemplary cycling route between Adamstown and Inchicore.

The City Council is now surveying, with some funding from my Department, the potential canal-based route between Portobello and Inchicore. Such a stretch represents the missing element in creating a first class cycleway from Adamstown to the city.

Any detailed proposals that emerge in relation to further canal-based cycle routes will be considered in the context of progress with the Portobello to Fairview Park and Adamstown to Inchicore projects, proposals by other local authorities and competing demands for scarce financial resources.