€1.57M boost for greenway projects in Cavan and Monaghan

Funding totalling €1.57 million for development of greenways in Cavan and Monaghan and a further €810,000 for Active Travel Projects in the two counties has been confirmed this morning.

Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith has welcomed the planned investment by the Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien.

The biggest beneficiary in this region is the Ulster Canal Greenway. A further €1M has been allocated to develop and enhance the greenway from Monaghan to the Northern Ireland Border.

The Smithboro to Clones section of the Ulster Canal has been awarded €75,000; while a further €75,000 will be spent on the Smithboro to Monaghan route.

Elsewhere, the Cavan North West Greenway (Cavan Town to Belturbet to Ballyconnell will see a spend of €120,000.

Both Cavan County Council and Monaghan County Council, meanwhile, will each get €150,000 to fund greenways support.

Deputy Brendan Smith welcomed the continued investment in greenways and active travel projects.

"Greenways protect important habitats and provide corridors for people and wildlife. They help improve air and water quality and provide enjoyable and safe options for transportation, which reduces air pollution, so it is important they continue to receive appropriate investment," he said.

Deputy Smith highlighted how Fianna Fáil in government had ensured massive investment in the restoration of the Ulster Canal.

"These further allocations today by Minister Darragh O’Brien build on that critical project, which will be a very important tourism attraction for County Monaghan and the border region," said the Cavan TD.

He credited greenways as being an important "recreational and social infrastructure" and boosting tourism also.

"These facilities are very widely used on a daily basis and provide safe spaces for families and people to walk," he said.

Deputy Smith also complimented Cavan and Monaghan County Councils, local community groups and landowners who were involved in the preparatory work to secure the funding and bring these projects to fruition.

Active Travel Projects

In respect of funding under the Active Travel Scheme, the following projects have been successful:

N87 Bawnboy: €60,000

N2 Cyclepath – Phase 3 to Emyvale Village: €300,000

N2 Cyclepath – Ballyalbany Jct - Coolshannagh: €100,000

N2 Cyclepath – Corlat RoB to Collegiate College : €300,000

N2 Monaghan, Corlat to Coolshannagh: €50,000