Funding of €21million announced for walking and cycling infrastructure in Limerick

FIFTY-ONE projects in Limerick have been allocated significant funding in a bid to improve walking and cycling infrastructure across the city and county.

Overall, Active Travel schemes across Limerick been allocated €21million by The National Transport Authority (NTA).

The 51 projects chosen in Limerick include Ballysimon road cycle scheme, Ennis Road Cycle Scheme, Limerick Greenway connections, Rosmor to Childers road active travel scheme, Bloomfield road’s active travel improvements and Abbeyfeale’s public realm enhancements.

The funding, announced this Wednesday, will also see a number of Safe Routes to School projects being progressed at locations across the city and county.  

Welcoming the announcement, Limerick City Green Party TD, Brian Leddin, commented: “Infrastructure developments, such as cycle lanes and footpaths make it easier for our children to cycle to school without being driven, it makes it safer to walk to your local shop, and it means we will all spend less time stuck in traffic jams.”

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In 2022, Limerick City and County Council received an allocation of €24 million. This year, the 51 projects which have been  approved have a combined value of €21 million. 

“Spending on cycle lanes and footpaths has increased more than tenfold in Limerick since the Green Party entered government. That’s the sort of change voters asked for, and we are delivering on our promise,” added Deputy Leddin.

Overall, the national investment of €290 million will fund approximately 1,200 Active Travel projects across the country - including almost 1,000km of new and improved walking and cycling infrastructure by 2025 

Announcing the funding, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said the continuous and substantial funding for active travel across the country is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and a cornerstone of their Transport Strategies.

"Continuous and substantial funding for active travel across the vountry is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and a cornerstone of our Transport Strategies. Last year, all of the money allocated was drawn down by local authorities and I am confident that the same will happen this year. This will mean that communities across the country will be better connected with safe and people friendly corridors to visit friends, go to the shops, or cycle or walk to school, sports training or other activities."

Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority (pictured, centre above) added: “2023 is going to be an important for active travel. With a growing number of active travel schemes moving from design into construction and delivery, we can encourage more people across the country to walk or cycle within and beyond their local community. The funding being announced today will allow the NTA to continue to work alongside local authorities as we accelerate the delivery of improved cycling and walking infrastructure. 

“From new segregated cycle lanes and footpaths, to dedicated pedestrian and cycling bridges, the active travel projects receiving funding will make it easier and safer for people to choose active travel modes. The extensive work being undertaken in partnership with Active Travel teams within Councils nationwide will help improve the health and wellbeing of our communities and make them more accessible and attractive for everyone.”