NTA allocates Euro 55m for cycling and walking projects

GHP Comment: Smart accommodation suppliers will offer walking and cycling packages to their guests to benefit from these developments. Really smart businesses will link up with other accommodation suppliers and create routes with baggage transported between destinations. Extremely smart businesses will do the above and provide Drying Rooms and Repair Kits, etc.

The National Transport Authority has allocated Euro55m to 547 projects in 11 counties for footpaths and cycling lanes in cities, towns and villages.

The funding was allocated under the July Jobs Stimulus Plan announced by the Government last month.

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.

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.”