Almost €3.4M for walking and cycling infrastructure
€100K for second phase of Cavan Town Urban Greenway
Commuters and nature enthusiasts alike will benefit from funding of almost €3.4M allocated to Cavan County Council for walking and cycling infrastructure across the county.
The Active Travel Investment grants were announced today to support 25 projects in the Breffni county and were widely welcomed by local politicians. Neighbouring county Monaghan projects were awarded just over €2.5M under the scheme.
Among the highlights - some €200,000 will be invested in enhancing the Station Road in Cootehill; while €300,000 will be invested in Ballyhaise Village. A further €100,000 has also been awarded to the second phase of the Cavan Town Urban Greenway.
Improvements to footpaths will also take place in Ballyconnell, Butlersbridge, Cavan Town, Ballinagh, Kilnaleck, Bailieborough, Kingscourt, Belturbet, Killeshandra, Ballyjamesduff, Redhills and Shercock.
The funding from the National Transport Authority (NTA) is part of a €280 million package for some 1,200 projects nationwide.
Fine Gael Senator Joe O’Reilly was among the first to reveal the funding.
"It will deliver high quality upgrades to walking and cycling infrastructure, with sustainable transport modes vital as we emerge from the Covid pandemic," he said.
“Ensuring we have a good and efficient transport system in Cavan is essential for the future as we aim to make our communities and town centres more vibrant, in addition to making commuting to work and school safer and easier.
“Over the past two years we have spent more time enjoying our outdoor amenities and investing in active travel will also help us to meet our climate change obligations," said Senator O'Reilly.
Successful projects
Funding amount for Cavan County Council and projects to be delivered include:
River Blackwater footbridge: €80,000
Footpath Package A - Ballyconnell, Butlersbridge, Cavan Town, Ballinagh, Kilnaleck: €150,000
Cavan Town Urban Greenway Phase 2: €100,000
Cycle Schemes - Cavan Town: €70,000
Footpath Package C - Bailieborough, Kingscourt, Cootehill: €180,000
Safe to Schools Programme - Support Infrastructure: €100,000
Low Cost Junction Tightening/Pedestrian Crossing Schemes: €63,000
Light Segregation Cycle Schemes: €150,000
Low Cost Permeability Measures: €100,000
R154/R198 Crossdoney Village: €190,000
R190/R191 Station Road, Cootehill - Design and Pavement Enabling Works: €200,000
Light Segregation Cycle Scheme A - Cavan Town: €150,000
Light Segregation Cycle Scheme B - Cavan Town: €150,000
R198 Drumelis Footpath: €30,000
L1512 Drumelis Footpath to Farnham NS: €100,000
Loreto Road - Drumlark to Drumgola Woods: €100,000
Ballyhaise Village Phase 1: €200,000
Ballyhaise Village Phase 2: €100,000
Footpath Package A - Cavan, Ballyconnell, Belturbet, Killeshandra: €287,500
Footpath Package B - Ballyjamesduff, Virginia, Mullagh, Mountnugent, Ballyjamesduff, Ballinagh: €200,000
Footpath Package C - Redhills, Cootehill, Shercock, Kingscourt, Bailieborough: €200,000
Pedestrian Crossing Package A: €30,000
Pedestrian Crossing Package B - Virginia, Kilcogy, Mullagh: €100,000
Junction Tightening - Pedestrian Crossing Package C -New Road, Bailieborough: €70,000
Cavan County Council Active Travel Office - Staff Costs: €270,945
Senator O'Reilly thanked Ministers Eamon Ryan and Hildegarde Naughton for the funding through their Department.
Expenditure on and delivery of Active Travel, as funded by the Department of Transport, has seen a significant increase, quadrupling from circa €45 million in 2019 to €184 million in 2021.
“Further amendments are also expected to the Road Traffic and Roads Bill in the coming weeks, which will help our local authorities progress experimental traffic management schemes and other measures which will fast track active travel infrastructure," said Senator O'Reilly.
His party colleague Minister Heather Humphreys was also delighted with the funding.
“It’s about making walking and cycling a safer experience for people of all ages. If we’ve learned one thing from the Pandemic, it’s that we have developed a new found appreciation for being out in the fresh air," she said.
“By investing in our infrastructure to such a significant scale, we are encouraging people to leave the car at home and get out for a walk or a cycle," continued the minister.
“Along with making our towns and villages safer, this funding will also make our areas better places to live, work and raise a family... This significant investment in our walking and cycling infrastructure will reduce traffic congestion and above all, give people a better quality of life,” added the Cavan Monaghan TD.
Fianna Fáil's Brendan Smith also expressed his delight at the allocation.
"This funding will assist in the development and improvement of footpaths, walking and cycling routes in our towns and villages and the scheme has also an important safety dimension particularly for school going children," said Deputy Smith.