The National Transport Authority (NTA) has announced €290 million in funds for cycling and walking infrastructure this year, bringing the total spend on active travel projects to more than €1 billion since 2020.
Speaking at the announcement, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said the money will go towards projects in cities, towns and villages.
The news comes as the Government and NTA announced its plan to link over 200 areas as part of a national cycling plan earlier this year.
This year’s funding is the same as the €290m allocated last year at a time when construction costs have risen.
It is a multiple of the €45m spent in 2019, the last year before the current Programme for Government which has delivered a significant increase in investment in active travel.
The NTA said the €1bn spent since 2020 has delivered more than 600km of cycling, walking and wheeling infrastructure.
Major projects completed in 2023 include the Salmon Weir Bridge in Galway city, the Hyde Road Scheme in Limerick city, the MacCurtain Street Public Transport Improvement Scheme in Cork city, the Ardmore Road Scheme in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, and an extension of the Coastal Mobility Route in Dún Laoghaire, Dublin.
This year’s allocation will fund the Fairview to Amiens Street Cycle Route in Dublin, the Marina Promenade Pedestrian and Cycle Facilities in Cork, the Father Russell Road Cycle Scheme in Limerick, the Waterford Sustainable Transport Bridge in Waterford, the Ballaghaderreen Town Development in Co Roscommon and a One-Way Active Travel Scheme in Donegal town.
Minister of State for Road Safety Jack Chambers announced that €20 million of this year’s allocation will go to the Safe Routes to School Programme.
"So far around 50 projects have been completed under Round 1 and 2 of the programme and the associated health and wellbeing benefits for children and parents are already being felt in schools in towns and villages all over the country.
"I am looking forward to seeing more and more infrastructure delivered at schools to encourage children and parents to choose to walk or cycle for their daily commutes, as well as the huge range of other active travel projects being funded as part of today’s announcement," he said.
800 new and existing schemes in 2024
The NTA says the Active Travel Investment Programme for 2024 will fund 800 new and existing schemes and this will include Pathfinder Projects, some of which are under construction while others will be going to planning.
Those include the Knocklyon to Tallaght scheme in Dublin, the Beechlawn to Clonard scheme in Wexford, two schemes in Longford town and schemes in Athlone and Mullingar.
Deputy Chief Executive of the National Transport Authority Hugh Creegan said: "Building on the progress of recent years, the €290 million being made available this year will ensure the delivery of cycle lanes and footpaths as well as pedestrian and cycling bridges across the country.
"All of these active travel projects will make it easier and safer than ever before for people to cycle, walk or wheel within and beyond their local area. "
