Corina Johnston, the Labour Party’s local area representative for Donabate and Portrane has welcomed the announcement by the National Transport Authority (NTA) of their plan to improve the cycle network on the peninsula.Johnston said; “Duncan Smith TD, Cllr Robert O’Donoghue and I have been campaigning at local and national level for cycle and walking network to be prioritised and delivered on the peninsula. The evidence base for walking and cycling and the positive impacts on our health is increasingly clear and convincing, hence the need for these facilities which will also allow workers to cycle to and from work. Arising from our representations to the Minister for Transport and the NTA we received the following response.The NTA recognises the need to improve cycle infrastructure between Donabate and Swords. Hearse Road has been identified as the key link to introduce segregated cycle infrastructure under the recently announced Five Year Programme for Government fund. This link will continue onto the Portrane Road, through Donabate town.”Johnston added; “ We are pleased that the Hearse Road is now on the radar of the NTA. We have been in constant contact with Fingal County Council regarding the need to widen the road and provide pedestrian and cycle paths in acccordance with the objectives of the councils development and local area plan.This is urgent in view of the increased volume of traffic on the road, the projected increase in population, the safety concerns for pedestrians/cyclists, the residents in Ballymadrough and the Hearse Road and their children who use this dangerous road on a daily basis.“ Johnston concluded; “ The positive response received from the NTA must be delivered upon and we intend to pursue this vigorously”.