One of the main provisions will be a 3km stretch of cycle pathway from the rail station at Blanchardstown/ Castleknock to Ashtown. The new cycleway will run along the Royal Canal tow path, joining up with the existing route from Ashtown into the city. The project is part of a €7 million national investment program announced by Public Transport Minister, Alan Kelly.

Joan Burton said “This investment forms part of a major effort to create a more cycle-friendly culture across the country and to try and get as many people out of their cars and onto the bikes. Having high-quality routes across the country is a key part of that. Also many of these routes have huge tourism potential so hopefully it will lead to job creation. There will also be further local job opportunities during the construction phase of the project 

The funding follows a commitment in the programme for Government to continue National Cycle Policy Framework. A competitive funding scheme was launched in March 2012 to fund Local Authorities to deliver cycling routes around the country which could act as both transport corridors and recreational and tourism amenities.

The programme will deliver a wide variety of route types, including on road routes along rural roads and former national roads, and off-road routes along former rail lines and canal tow paths. The routes will provide valuable transport and recreational infrastructure, with some of the routes having the potential to become tourism attractions in their own right.