Walk this way!
Grab your comfortable shoes as millions of euro has been rubber stamped for the rollout of walking and cycling infrastructure in 2024 across Cork city and county.
It was announced yesterday, Wednesday, that more than €48 million has been allocated to 78 active travel schemes in Cork. More than €29 million has been made available to Cork City Council in 2024 towards the delivery of approximately 44 active travel projects in the city and €19 million has been made available to Cork County Council in 2024 towards the delivery of approximately 34 active travel schemes in the rest of the county. The Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD and Minister of State Jack Chambers TD joined National Transport Authority (NTA) Deputy CEO Hugh Creegan to announce €290m in funding to local authorities across Ireland.
Cork City Council has been allocated €2 million for the Glanmire to City Cycle Route (Phase 1 - Village to Dunkettle roundabout) and €4.2 million for the Marina Promenade Pedestrian and Cycle facilities. Meanwhile Cork County Council has been allocated just over €1 million for its Bóthar Guidel Bridge project and just over €2 million for the Carrigaline - Ringaskiddy and Passage (Phase 1 Rafeen to Passage) project.
Also, the Active Travel Pathfinder Projects will, the NTA said, see “significant progression” throughout 2024, with most going to planning or for those already with planning permission, beginning construction. This includes the Carrigtwohill to Midleton Active Travel Pathfinder project.
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said: “A key commitment in the Programme for Government and something that has been a cornerstone of our national transport strategy over the past few years has been the dedication to making walking, cycling and wheeling safer and much more accessible throughout the country. It’s great that this year we will hit the €1 billion investment mark.”
Hugh Creegan, Deputy CEO of the National Transport Authority said: “2024 will be a milestone year for active travel. Over the course of this year, total investment by the NTA in walking and cycling infrastructure since 2020 will break the €1 billion barrier. The NTA will work alongside local authorities to help deliver the projects which have been given funding and identify additional opportunities across the year that can help encourage people to choose sustainable transport modes.”