Written answers

Thursday, 5 December 2019

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Cycling Facilities Provision

Photo of Marc MacSharryMarc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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319. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the funding to implement the Climate Action Plan 2019 action 97 of the National Cycle Policy Framework with a focus on commuter specific development of greenways which satisfies the requirements of the action; the oversight needed at design stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50779/19]

Photo of Jonathan O'BrienJonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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320. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress made with regard to action 97 of the National Cycle Policy Framework that local authorities set forth a clear pathway and timetable for the installation of dedicated cycling infrastructure; the way in which the action is monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50789/19]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 319 and 320 together.

As the Deputy may be aware, our existing sustainable mobility policy framework is now 10 years old and, as committed to under the Programme for a Partnership Government and the Climate Action Plan, I recently launched a public consultation to review Ireland’s sustainable mobility policy. The consultation is looking at all aspects of current policy in relation to public transport and active travel. Details and background documents are available on my Department's website www.dttas.gov.ie and I look forward to engaging with the Deputy in shaping a new policy framework.

One of those background documents reviews the implementation status of the National Cycling Policy Framework. This assessment, and indeed the wider policy review itself, will allow all stakeholders to reflect on what has been achieved, what remains to be done and how our policy frameworks can support the realisation of a more sustainable transport system and this assessment is an important first step toward realisation of Action 97’s objectives.

Our policy review is also timely from the perspective of ensuring an appropriate and updated policy backdrop to the substantially increased levels of funding now available to support the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) delivery of active travel infrastructure in co-operation with local authorities. The NTA has a statutory role in relation to the development of active travel infrastructure (including cycling facilities) and the Deputy will be aware that it has recently established a new Office to assist with the timely design and delivery of certain projects.

The focus in this area for the last number of years has been centred on increasing funding and the Deputy can be assured that the increases already secured will continue in the years ahead, the key area of focus now needs to be on delivery and I look forward to the commencement of a number of important projects next year.

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