Construction Ireland Construction Directory
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Share this page
Construction News
18/11/2021

Concerns Over Clash Between Govt Transport Plans And Climate Targets

Construction News Image
The government has come under fire for its current current public and active transport plans which have been criticised for opposing climate change targets.

Sinn Féin representative Darren O'Rourke TD vocalised concerns over how the transport plans will reduce the sector's emissions by 42% - 50% as per the Climate Action Plan.

Calling into question the scale and ambition of change, the Meath East TD said: "The Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy, published last week, aims to have just 11.5% of journeys by bike by 2042.

"Compare this with Copenhagen, where today 49% of journeys are made by bicycle.

"School bus transport is significantly oversubscribed each year, but the current target outlined in Bus Éireann's Sustainability Strategy, would only see a 20% increase in places by 2030 - equivalent to just 1,000 extra places each year.

-- Advertisement --

"This is hugely under ambitious and fails to recognise how many daily car journeys can be removed by radically expanding this scheme.

"Another example is the Safe Routes to School Programme. This programme aims to create safer walking and cycling routes within communities to increase active travel.

"It's hugely oversubscribed, with 931 schools expressing interest, but just 170 schools awarded funding this year.

"Schools are crying out for investment and support to increase active travel, but the government are failing to meet the demand."

He continued: "Similarly, public transport fares are a huge barrier for many people, and we aren't seeing the ambition needed to reduce costs for people to encourage them to take the bus, train or tram.

"Likewise, funding for the NTA's Connecting Ireland plan is backloaded, with just 10% of funding allocated in Year 1 and no guarantee of future funding. 

"These are just some examples of low hanging fruit that can be immediately tackled to kick start a significant reduction in our emissions.

"There's a clear contradiction between the climate rhetoric and action on the ground when it comes to tackling transport emissions.

"In my opinion the current scale, ambition and pace of change won't deliver the transformational change we need to meet our climate targets."

Latest Construction News

15/11/2024

An emergency road closure has been announced following serious structural integrity concerns of the former Antrim Arms Hotel building on Castle Street in Ballycastle. Following genuine fears surrounding the safety of the building's structure, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council have ...
15/11/2024

A pre-design public consultation for the Dublin-based College Green - Dame Street Public Realm Project has been launched. The proposal to remodel College Green and Dame Street is a joint initiative by Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority. The project aims to transform Dublin's ...
15/11/2024

A new plan which aims to fill vacant homes and revitalise derelict buildings has been proposed by Ireland's Green Party. The Dereliction and Building Regeneration Bill put forward by the party aims to establish a single permitting system for fire, accessibility and planning in a one-stop-shop for ...
15/11/2024

Works will begin next week to provide a more reliable water supply in County Kildare, Uisce Éireann has announced. The improvements, which will take place in Allenwood, will also target the reduction of high levels of leakage. GMC Utilities Group are carrying out the works on behalf of Uisce ...
15/11/2024

Essential wastewater improvements being made to the North Street area in Carrickfergus are set to be completed on Friday, November 22, NI Water has announced. Further works will recommence to the area on January 6, after the busy Christmas period. The work is part of a major investment to improve ...
15/11/2024

A forthcoming road closure in Wicklow has been announced by the County Council ahead of essential roadworks which are suspected to last a week. The closure will impact the L-69052 road in Arklow and will take place on the junction of the L2901, Laffin's Lane and The Brook, from Monday, November ...
14/11/2024

A L'Derry park was visited by the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs yesterday following the completion of extensive works. Manor Park in Moneymore welcomed Minister Andrew Muir MLA, who made the trip to see the result of extensive works which totalled £260,000. The ...
14/11/2024

A Railway Order planning application will be made by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) regarding the major Luas Finglas project. The application will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála on Monday, November 18, while the public can make submissions about the proposed light rail line from November ...
14/11/2024

A new €8.8 million social housing scheme officially launched in County Louth recently. The Ferrard Park development in Drogheda contains 28 new houses which were acquired by Louth County Council from CFS Homes for tenants from the council's social housing waiting list. The houses, which include a ...
14/11/2024

A number of projects across Wicklow aimed at addressing the negative impacts of climate change have received a significant cash boost. Wicklow County Council and The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications announced an allocation of €675,574.33 to 20 community groups across the ...
OsberSouthern Crusher Spares LtdDistinctive Painting GalwayDecomin Paints IrelandGS Concrete PumpingFleming DoorsScannell Safety ServicesShannonside GalvanizingTool FixFreefoam Plastics (Ireland)
Terms and Conditions
2024/11/16 05:24:46