National Cycle Network

Ireland's National Cycle Policy Framework recognises the need to support and encourage all types of cycling, including recreational and tourist cycling.  "Recreational routes", says the policy, "in and around urban areas, which in turn link to rural areas, are very important." 

With this in mind, in August 2009, the National Roads Authority was tasked with completing a scoping study on a National Cycle Network. An advisory group, under the auspices of the National Trails Advisory Committee and with members such as Fáilte Ireland, Waterways Ireland and Coillte, was set up for this work. The scoping study was published in August 2010, and can be downloaded here (The National Cycle Network Scoping Study).

The study identified potential route corridors between urban centres of 10,000 population and upwards that could make up a National Cycle Network. The potential Network identified in the scoping study is approximately 2,000km in length. It is envisaged that the identified route corridors will provide a skeleton around which routes should develop nationwide, with potential for links into and between the corridors, particularly where existing infrastructure allows cost effective delivery.

Following completion of the NRA scoping study, the advisory group recommended progressing a single route corridor to a pilot feasibility study phase. The Dublin-Galway-Clifden corridor was selected as the pilot project on the basis of it being a corridor with potentially high demand, and which presented the full range of route options, such as canal tow paths, disused rail line, lightly trafficked roads, old national roads, bogs etc.

The NRA have been tasked with carrying out the route feasibility and delivery study for the corridor. This work includes an examination of all options for route sections along the corridor, development of appropriate design standards and construction specification, a tentative construction delivery programme, and the development of a robust cost estimate.

Work on the route feasibility study for the Dublin-Mullingar section is currently underway. A “route selection report”, which will outline a proposed route along the Dublin-Mullingar section is expected by Quarter 2 2012. Following completion of this route selection report the next stage for this route section would be to progress to preliminary route design. For 2012 it is also planned to progress route selection work for the Mullingar-Galway route sections, which should lead to a “route selection report” for this part of the corridor by end-2012. The preliminary route design for Mullingar-Galway could then progress in 2013.