The Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, today confirmed that the National Transport Authority (NTA) has allocated funds to Ireland’s local authorities with a view to spending €290 million on walking and cycling infrastructure in 2023.
I want to tell you what this investment means, on the ground, in Laois and Offaly:
€350,000 is included for 5 new Active Travel projects in County Offaly, including pedestrian crossings, cycle ways and footpaths for Edenderry, Tullamore and Kilcormac. This funding will see measures that make walking and cycling easier and safer.
I am particularly heartened by this Government’s strong support for children being safe to travel to school under their own steam. Today’s funding for Offaly provides for ‘Safe Routes to School’ infrastructure for Banagher and Edenderry.
In Laois, a further €2.12m was announced for 15 new Active Travel projects, including pedestrian crossings, cycle ways and footpaths. In Portlaoise this funding will see a continuation of the Triogue Way, a walking and cycling scheme making traversing Portlaoise easier and safer by foot or bike.
In Portarlington, there is €70,000 for a scheme to allow for easier town access for walkers and cyclists: I am aware of the community effort that went into the design and advocacy of this in Port and am delighted to see the funding to get it going.
Today’s funding for Laois provides for ‘Safe Routes to School’ infrastructure for schools in Scoil Phadraig Naofa, Mountmellick, Maryborough NS, Portlaoise, Scoil Mhuire, Abbeyleix, and Camross National School.
Across the county these measures, now becoming obvious in many of our towns and villages, are helping people to make safer and healthier journeys. In rural Ireland, I expect we will continue to rely on private car ownership in the medium term but many of us now have the choice to leave the car at home for short journeys.
Make no mistake – this is a direct result of Greens in Government.
More information here: