Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area. I have therefore requested an update from the NTA in relation to the matter raised by the Deputy, who have advised the following:

Monaghan County Council appointed a consultant to look at options to provide a safe route for pedestrians crossing River Fane & passing under the Old Railway Bridge in Inniskeen Village.

An options report for the scheme was developed by the Consultant and issued to the NTA in late 2022. The preferred option identified in this report was the introduction of a shuttle, one way, system under the Old Railway Bridge & across the River Fane Bridge. Shuttle systems are in use in many similar locations around the country and provide an effective and efficient means of linking both sides of a bridge for those walking, cycling and wheeling.

The options report was developed in accordance with the Department of Transport's National Investment Framework for Transport in Ireland (NIFTI). This Framework sets both a Modal Hierarchy and an Intervention Hierarchy, which the shuttle system meets.

The NTA, therefore, agree with the solution proposed by Monaghan County Council’s Consultant and as a result it is their view that the construction of a separate bridge would not be the optimum solution at this time.