Deputies Catherine Murphy and Seán Kenny have asked many questions. Deputy Murphy's comment about dispersed settlement patterns is absolutely valid. We are catching up and paying for the sins of those who engaged in poor planning over many years. It is difficult to provide for a comprehensive public transport system, which satisfies everybody, when one is dealing with dispersed settlement patterns. When development is concentrated in key areas, it is easy to provide public transport. Nevertheless, we have what we have. Everybody has to work with it. We hope there will be a gradual move towards a more focused and better integrated system of land use and transport planning over time. That will facilitate development in key areas.
Deputy Murphy rightly pointed out that a number of key centres were designated in the strategy and in the regional planning guidelines. It has been proposed that in addition to those key areas, we should focus on areas of person-intensive development where there is a great deal of movement along heavy and light rail lines. I think that is the measure the Deputy was suggesting. The lines that are in place need to be used because they constitute an ideal vehicle for moving people around. That is where we think a great deal of development will occur in the next two decades.
I was also asked about types of development. We understand the issues relating to the Irish approach to patterns of development. There is a reluctance to pursue certain apartment-type development processes. We are not prescribing what the development needs to be. We do not have the skills to be so prescriptive. We are simply saying there is a need for more focused development. We hope that solutions which work in Ireland will evolve through good design and planning.
Problems with permeability and connections to housing estates are evident to everybody. Many access routes into estates have been closed over the years due to anti-social behaviour. As a result, it can be difficult to access transport services in some locations. We are working with some local authorities to open access to certain estates. It is a difficult process. As members deal with these issues every day, they are familiar with the reasons people are opposed to the opening of access. Local authorities have succeeded in opening new routes into estates in some locations. That allows people to access footpaths, bus routes and cycle ways in a much more amenable manner. We hope to capture more of those matters at the planning stage, rather than having to catch up at a later stage.
Deputy Murphy asked whether local authorities can deliver on local transport plans. This strategy has been through the local authority process. All of the local authorities have been consulted on it and have commented on it. The National Transport Authority is liaising tightly with local authorities to fund projects all over the place. We are assisting them with certain things. We are confident that the local authorities will be able to accommodate the type of work that has been suggested here. If they need assistance from us, we will provide it. Some of them are already getting such assistance.
I am aware of the existence of by-laws preventing cycling in parks. Issues can be resolved on a project-by-project basis. If there is a good reason for cycling to be banned in a park at certain times, the by-law will remain in place. If there is no good reason for it, perhaps it can be considered by the local authority concerned.
We recognise that there are gaps in cycle routes across the greater Dublin region. This problem can be attributed to the county system. That is the kind of thing we need to cure if we are to add value as the transport authority covering the region. We are talking to all seven local authorities about their cycling networks and how they integrate across their boundaries. We are a pretty embryonic organisation, but we are making sure we pick up all of these problems over time and prevent them from recurring in the future. The role of a central authority like the National Transport Authority is to co-ordinate in such a manner.
Deputy Kenny referred to the railway station in Hansfield as an example of poor integration between the timing of a development and the timing of the provision of a railway station. That has been recognised and is being cured at the moment. We hope the station will open next year.
The National Transport Authority makes a significant input into development plans and local area plans. We would prefer to liaise with local authorities before plans are formally developed. It would be better if the ideas we would like to bring to the table were included in local authority plans before the formal consultation stage. That is the approach we are taking.
On cycle ways around the city and the Sandycove to Sutton route, we are conscious that there are gaps in several places, particularly in Clontarf. We are examining the issue to determine whether there is a solution we can afford. A solution was developed by the city council a couple of years ago which was expensive and it is a question of determining whether that is the only solution or whether something else is available. It is something we hope to tackle and conclude, provided we get funding, over the next two years. We hope to fill in the gaps in the network.
On the rail spur from Clongriffin to the airport, the strategy considers metro north providing connectivity to Dublin airport. If it is in place, that rail connection over the northern line would not seem to be necessary. It is something Irish Rail is considering and has provided for as a possibility under the strategy. The metro north project was intended to provide the connections along the corridor.
I hope I have addressed all the questions.
