Public feedback is being sought on a revised CycleConnects network plan and its environmental assessment. The network plan aims to help prioritise national funding to built up a network of routes across the country,
The CycleConnects network covers all of Ireland outside of counties Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow, which are covered under the Greater Dublin Area Cycle Network Plan. The GDA Cycle Network Plan has been used to aid councils in planning their networks and for the National Transport Authority to allocate funding.
The project team said that the plan has been firmed up based on feedback from a non-statutory public consultation at the end of 2022 and engagement with stakeholders.
The network plan includes interurban routes connecting settlements of over 1,000 people, existing and proposed greenways, and urban networks for any town with a population of over 5,000 as per the 2022 Census.
With a population of 5,000 people as a benchmark, 63 urban networks have been drafted to account for likely increased demand in more dense areas.
The plan excludes the National Cycle Network, which Transport Infrastructure Ireland is planning. However, both teams have met to avoid crossovers or routes that are too close to being parallel to each other that they could not be justified.
The maps and related reports for CycleConnects and how to respond with your feedback can be found at consult.nationaltransport.ie. The deadline is October 2024.
Generally the plans look good – ambitious but realistic. One thing I would like added in Castlebar is a more direct link between the old Westport road roundabout and the Lough Lannagh loop bridge (continuing to Newport road). There are quite a lot of housing estates along Humbert way and the old Westport road that would benefit from this. Ideally a route through just to the west of Lough lannagh village if that were possible.
Best way to ask for this is to submit something on the plan to the NTA