Dublin Corporation is planning to install six "quality bus corridors" and cycle routes as part of a campaign to encourage commuting motorists to switch to alternative means of transport.
Mr Owen Keegan, the corporation's director of traffic, said the start this week of a public consultation programme on the measures marked an important milestone in developing facilities for bus-users and cyclists.
"The solution to the traffic problems in the city depends on achieving a significant change in the travel patterns of Dublin's commuting motorists," he said.
"In the short term, the development of QBCs and cycle routes offers the best prospect of facilitating this change," Mr Keegan said. But he stressed the need to achieve public, business and political support for each QBC and cycle route.
Property-owners along the proposed routes serving Tallaght, Swords, Rathfarnham, north and south Clondalkin and Ranelagh (cycle lane only) will get information brochures, and plans will be displayed locally.
Mr Keegan said the final designs would address the views expressed during this exercise. "Every effort will be made to address any concerns raised, without compromising the essential features of the various schemes."
Some business-owners along proposed QBCs have objected strongly to earlier schemes for Finglas, Malahide and Blanchardstown, now under construction, because of the loss or restriction of on-street parking.
Final consultations on the Stillorgan QBC and cycle route are under way, and Mr Keegan said construction work would begin later this year. "With a bit of flexibility on all sides, I am confident that it will be possible to reach agreement," he added.
Each QBC will give "very significant" road and traffic signal priority to buses, but must be matched by improvements in the bus service, including better frequencies, additional buses and "real-time" passenger information at bus stops.
Mr Keegan said he was convinced that, in time, proximity to a QBC would be seen as a very desirable attribute which would be reflected in the value of both residential and commercial properties along the route.
Referring to the new cycling facilities, he said the schemes, when coupled with those recently completed or under construction, would see the city's cycle network increase by 60 km to 80 km by the year 2000.
Subject to financial resources, consideration would be given to colouring bus and cycle lanes red. This was already planned for a "significant section" of the Malahide QBC as a pilot project with a view to extending the treatment.
