Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

141. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the National Transport Authority considers cycling lanes a form of transport; and if he will ensure connectivity in awarding funding. [35948/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for the policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. The National Transport Authority (NTA), meanwhile, has responsibility for the allocation of funding to specific projects and oversight of their development, in cooperation with the relevant local authorities.

Investing in sustainable mobility, which includes walking and cycling infrastructure is a big factor in the future sustainable development of the country as it offers alternative modes of transport and is key to reducing dependence on the private car and helping to meet our climate targets.

The Deputy will be interested to know that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) recently launched plans for an ambitious National Cycle Network (NCN), a planned core cycle network of 3,500km that will criss-cross the country, connecting more than 200 villages, towns and cities. The network will include cycling links to transport hubs, education centres, employment centres, leisure and tourist destinations, and support “last mile” bicycle deliveries.

The public consultation on the new NCN closed on Tuesday 7 June 2022. The NCN map, and background information, can be found at: ncn.consultation.ai. Following an analysis of public feedback, a report will be completed in August 2022 on the proposed NCN incorporating the feedback received. Detailed plans for the roll out of the NCN over the coming years will then be developed.

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

142. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether cycling infrastructure in Cork city is on a par with that in other local authority areas. [35949/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for the policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. The National Transport Authority (NTA), meanwhile, has responsibility for the allocation of funding to specific projects and oversight of their development, in cooperation with the relevant local authorities. 

The Programme for Government committed to an investment of €360 million per annum in walking and cycling over the lifetime of the Government. The years 2021 and 2022 have seen a significant increase in my department's funding for cycling and walking, in line with the Government’s prioritisation of Active Travel and Greenways. Earlier this year I announced funding totalling €289m through the National Transport Authority (NTA) for 1,200 Active Travel projects. This funding included an allocation of €46.29m to Cork City Council and an allocation of €20.46m to Cork County Council. In addition funding of circa €60 million has been allocated to around 40 Greenway projects across the country in 2022, with over €5m of that funding allocated to projects in Cork. 

This funding will support the development of key Active Travel and Greenways projects such as McCurtain Street Public Transport Improvement Scheme, Grange Road Transport Corridor, Passage to City Centre Greenway, Dunkettle to Carrigtwohill cycleway and the Midleton to Youghal Greenway. 

I wish to assure the Deputy that the safety of all road users, particularly those who are most vulnerable such as cyclists and pedestrians, is at the top of my priority list as Minister for Transport. 

I would point out that any new cycling infrastructure funded by my Department must be designed in compliance with the guidance and standards set out in the NTA's National Cycle Manual (NCM) which is currently being revised and updated. I expect the revised version of the NCM to be published by Q3 2022. 

In tandem, my Department officials have convened a Standards Working Group which is examining the various guidance and standards documents which should be taken into account by local authorities when constructing new walking and cycling infrastructure. These include the NCM, as well as the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS) and Transport Infrastructure Ireland's (TII's) standards. The Working Group will seek to identify any gaps or contradictions between these various guidance documents to ensure that new walking and cycling infrastructure is designed safely and efficiently in order to encourage more people to use Active Travel transport modes over the private car.