€55 million allocated to 547 walking and cycling projects in eight counties

Conor Heneghan

“Travel to work, school or the local shop on two wheels instead of four will see an uplift from this much needed and timely financial endorsement by the Government.”

A total of 547 projects in eight counties will benefit from funding of €55 million allocated by the National Transport Authority (NTA) to support pedestrian and cyclist movement and to enhance accessibility in cities, towns and villages in Ireland.

The funding, allocated under the government’s July Jobs Stimulus Plan, is designed to support local authorities’ response to Covid-19 challenges and assist with their work to equip local communities and businesses with improved walking and cycling infrastructure.

The funding will also allow for changes to traffic management arrangements to facilitate the reallocation of overall road space to improve facilities and safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

Local authorities in the Greater Dublin Area and the metropolitan areas of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford were eligible to apply for funding under the scheme and eight counties will benefit: Dublin, Meath, Kildare, Wicklow, Cork Galway, Limerick and Waterford.

Among the projects to be funded are:

Installation of parklets in Cork City
Upgrade of cycle lane infrastructure in Castletroy, Limerick
Installation of protected cycle facilities in Glenageary, Dun Laoghaire
Resurfacing of pedestrian area, Galway City
Creation of ‘slow zone’ in Waterford City Centre
Pedestrian crossings in Navan, Trim, Mornington and Oldcastle, Co Meath
Allocations to Councils

Commenting on the scheme, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said: “The projects that the NTA is funding will make a real difference at local level when it comes to improving infrastructure for cycling, walking and will make our cities, towns and villages more accessible and attractive for everyone. That’s good news for local communities, and good news for the economy.

“I look forward to seeing these projects coming to fruition in the weeks and months ahead.”

Full speed ahead – delighted €55m from July Stimulus already allocated to councils for specific projects; cycleways, footpaths, bus shelters, bike parks in Greater Dublin/Cork/Limerick/Galway/Waterford metro areas. Good for jobs communities and environment @TFIupdates @DttasIrl pic.twitter.com/YzZ1xL0P1V

— Eamon Ryan (@EamonRyan) August 22, 2020

Minister of State for International and Road Transport and Logistics Hildegarde Naughton added: “The allocations being made today will go a long way in delivering a safe and sustainable environment for active travel in our villages, towns and cities.

The upgrade of Quay Street and High Street is part of a €3 million investment in pedestrian and cycling infrastructure in #Galway that my Department is announcing today. A €350,000 cycleway will also be developed between Briarhill and Ballybane. See hereunder for the full list. pic.twitter.com/hGTHva5p2t

— Hildegarde Naughton (@1Hildegarde) August 22, 2020

“Travel to work, school or the local shop on two wheels instead of four will see an uplift from this much needed and timely financial endorsement by the Government.”

Details of the funding for the 11 councils to avail of the scheme can be seen below, while the full list of projects allocated funding can be downloaded here.