Government to invest €22m in #NorthInnerCity Transport projects

As your local Councillor, I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on a funding announcement made by Government of more than €22 million for walking and cycling infrastructure across the North Inner City and Dublin Central.

A total of €49,875,000 has been made available to Dublin City Council that will support the delivery of 84 separate projects, some of are existing measures and a suite of new projects now being brought forward through the Sustainable Transport Section of the City Council in partnership with the National Transport Authority. These projects will make a real difference to the lives of our citizens. Improving infrastructure for cycling and walking will make our city more accessible and attractive for everyone.

This funding forms part of a nationwide allocation of €240 million which begins the process of delivering on the commitment made in the Programme for Government to allocate 10% of the total transport capital budget for cycling projects and an allocation of 10% of the total capital budget for pedestrian infrastructure. The total spend on walking and cycling infrastructure including committed funding from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for active travel, greenways and an agreed pedestrian and cycling allocation from the Bus Connects programme. In addition to this funding commitment, the Programme for Government, which my colleague Minister Paschal Donohoe led the negotiations on the Transport section with the Green Party, also commits to undertake other measures to help enable the continued increase in the numbers of people walking and cycling each day. The Government will:

• Mandate that every local authority, with assistance from the National Transport Authority (NTA), adopts a high-quality cycling policy, carries out an assessment of their roads network and develops cycle network plans, which will be implemented with the help of a suitably qualified Cycling Officer with clear powers and roles.
• Expand and enhance the expertise on active travel needed to dramatically improve infrastructure and participation both in the NTA and local authorities, including by establishing Regional Cycle Design Offices, co-located in the seven Regional Design Offices for roads, to support local authorities.
• Dramatically increase the number of children walking and cycling to primary and secondary school by mandating the Department of Transport to work with schools across Ireland, local authorities, the GreenSchools programme and local initiatives, including Cycle Bus and School Streets.
• Widen the eligibility of the Bike to Work scheme. We will provide an increased proportionate allowance for e-bikes and cargo bikes.
• Ramp up the Cycle Right programme to ensure that all children are offered cycling training in primary school.
• Conduct a review of road traffic policy and legislation to prioritise the safety of walking and cycling.

The Government has now allocated €240million to Local Authorities across the country to support sustainable transport projects with just short of €50m allocated to Dublin City Council. This funding will provide high quality facilities for cyclists and walkers across the country, which is particularly welcome during the Covid-19 pandemic. Within Dublin Central, more than €22m has been made available to advance 29 projects including:

• €980,000 for remaining works associated with Phase 2 of the Royal Canal Greenway, between Sheriff Street and Newcomen Bridge.
• €150,000 towards remaining works with the Newcomen Bridge.
• €3,250,000 for Phase 3 of the Royal Canal Greenway, linking Newcomen Bridge with Phibsborough.
• €1,250,000 for the Liffey Cycle Route.
• €200,000 towards the Point Junction Improvement Scheme, Sheriff Street Upper through to the new cycle connection on Upper East Wall Road.
• €6,000,0000 for the Clontarf to City Centre Project.
• €1,825,000 for Phase 4 of the Royal Canal Greenway, linking Phibsborough with Ashtown.
• €640,000 for an on-street cycle parking programme.
• €550,000 for the City Centre Study proposals.
• €70,000 for Cycle Parking for Schools.
• €210,000 for additional roll-out of the Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) Programme.
• €150,000 for the Point Roundabout Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge.
• €1,000,000 for the Broadstone Plaza.
• €70,000 for the Docklands Pedestrian and Cycle Bridges.
• €200,000 for the East Coast Trail, linking East Wall Road and the Liffey.
• €550,000 for new Toucan Crossings at Grangegorman.
• €50,000 towards a new Pedestrian and Cyclist route linking Grangegorman and Kevin Street.
• €150,000 for the Safe to Schools Programme.
• €3,000,000 for pedestrian crossings to be installed across Dublin city.
• €100,000 towards a new cycle scheme linking Parnell Street and Prussia Street.
• €100,000 towards a new cycle scheme linking Bolton Street to Parliament Street
• €100,000 towards a new cycle scheme linking Amiens Street to Georges Quay
• €1,000,000 towards a new Glasnevin to Clontarf Road cycle scheme.
• €500,000 towards a new Grangegorman to Thomas Street cycle scheme.
• €50,000 for a new North Circular Road cycle scheme.
• €50,000 for a new cycle scheme connecting Drumcondra and Parnell Street.
• €50,000 towards a new a Tolka Greenway connecting Fairview with Mobhi Road.
• €50,000 for a new Cabra to Blanchardstown cycle scheme.
• €500,000 for the School Zones programme.

I hope this information is of interest to you. However, do not hesitate to get in touch with myself or Minister Paschal Donohoe and we will endeavour to answer any questions or queries that you may have.