The National Transport Authority in Ireland has allocated €55m to 547 projects in 11 counties for footpaths and cycling lanes in cities, towns and villages in the country.
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. An equivalent funding programme is in place through the Department of Transport for all other local authority areas.
The funding will be used to improve walking and cycling infrastructure and also allow for changes to traffic management arrangements to facilitate the reallocation of roads to improve facilities and safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
The funding was allocated under the July Jobs Stimulus Plan announced by the Government last month.
Allocations to Councils:
- Dublin City Council – €12,065.000
- Limerick City & County Council – €9,988,000
- Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council – €8,986.067
- Cork City Council – €4,000,000
- Fingal County Council – €3,890,000
- Wicklow County Council – €3,342,350
- Meath County Council – €3,105,000
- Galway City Council – €3,001,000
- South Dublin County Council – €2,440,995
- Waterford City & County Council – €2,347,500
- Kildare County Council – €1,840,000
- Total Amount Allocated = €55,005,912
Funding allocations have been made solely for design and works which can be completed by the end of November 2020.
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said: “One of the priorities for this government, when we took office in June, was to respond to the economic difficulties brought about by the Covid crisis. We immediately turned our attention to the putting together of a package of measures that would go some way to rebooting the economy.
“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. I look forward to seeing these projects coming to fruition in the weeks and months ahead.”
Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton said: “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.
“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. I look forward to continuing to work with our local authorities as they continue on their journey to accelerate sustainable travel in the coming weeks and months through this fund and beyond.”
