Lucan: Transport survey finds that cycling infrastructure is ‘unsafe’

A survey that asked the people of Lucan for their opinion on local transport services found that many locals are too afraid to cycle due to “unsafe” infrastructure.

The findings of the transport survey ran by Sinn Féin TDs Eoin O’Broin and Mark Ward following a range of concerns raised during the 2020 General Election will be launched today, Monday August 23.

This survey provides a ‘ground truth’ of the transport situation – problems and solutions – in Lucan.

Deputies Ward and Ó Broin will be meeting with the National Transport Authority, Dublin Bus, Irish Rail and the Department of Transport in the coming period to discuss the findings of the survey.

The main findings of the survey were that transport is important to residents with 96.8% of people saying it was important or very important.

The single main forms of transport used were car, 56.5%; bus, 30.6%; train, 9.2%; and bicycle and walking, both 1.8%.

The average commute was found to be 51.68 minutes one way, or 103.36 minutes daily.

Some of the issues raised by residents included: The high cost of public transport, a lack of services such as the absence of a bus from Lucan to Clondalkin, “nightmare” traffic, and a desire to cycle more but a reluctance to do so due to  “unsafe” cycling infrastructure.

Teachta Eoin O’Broin speaking ahead of Monday’s launch said: “Transport was a major issue in the last General Election and the findings of this survey confirm how much work is needed in Lucan to ensure our residents can get to where they need to be in a reasonable amount of time, or in some cases get there at all.

“Significant residential development has taken place in recent years in Adamstown putting existing transport networks under severe pressure.

“Some of the respondents reported not being able to get to college lectures while others on night shifts couldn’t get back from work due to a lack of services and bad timetabling.

“Clearly there is a need for greater investment to ensure adequate public transport.”

Sinn Féin says it will be distributing a summary of the survey door to door in the coming weeks.

Deputies Ward and Ó Broin will be meeting with the National Transport Authority, Dublin Bus, Irish Rail and the Department of Transport in the coming period to discuss the findings of the survey.