Around €10m has been allocated to Dublin City Council to extend cycling routes.

The investment will see a premium, largely off-road, continuous cycle route constructed to link Rathmines on the southside and Fairview Park on the northside.

Announcing the investment, Transport Minister Noel Dempsey said: "This is a demonstration of the new level of cycle provision promised in Ireland’s first National Cycle Policy Framework which I launched earlier this year.

"It's a concept that will literally open up the city to commuters and leisure cyclists."

A route via the Grand Canal and Forbes Street from Rathmines Road Lower to the new Samuel Beckett Bridge at City Quay, has been proposed.

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Having crossed the Samuel Beckett bridge, a route via the Royal Canal and West Road to connect with the existing cycle path in Fairview Park.

This segment of the route will form part of the northside portion of the Sutton to Sandycove route.

"This route," said Minister Dempsey, "fits the bill in so many respects. For commuters, it will offer an excellent route from both sides to the main employment areas in the city."

It is proposed to complete the project by end 2010 – a challenging ambition due to the scale of the proposed works which, apart from significant detailed design work and obtaining the necessary planning approvals.

Works will include the construction and improvement of seven kilometres of cycle lanes; redesign in terms of safety and usability of up to ten road junctions; and the provision of three new canal crossings and a railway crossing for cyclists and pedestrians.

"Work now starts in Dublin City Council," said Minister Dempsey, "on the detailed designs that will be necessary to bring this grand vision to fruition. I expect to see construction work starting in January 2010 and the project being delivered by the end of that year."

(PR/GK)