An allocation of €294,430,134 in funding for active travel projects around Ireland has been published by the National Transport Authority.
The funding stems from the outgoing Government’s Budget 2025. It represents the last non-greenway element of the coalition’s promised €350 million spending per year for active travel, a figure set by the Programme for Government.
The funding includes projects at different stages of planning, design and construction.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) said on its website: “The funding will support a range of walking and cycling schemes including improved pedestrian environments, new segregated cycling lanes, pedestrian and cycling bridges and pedestrian crossings.”
Projects funded include Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council’s Living Streets: Dun Laoghaire and DLR Central Active Travel Scheme; ongoing funding on Dublin City Council’s Royal Canal Greenway project; South Dublin Council Council’s Grand Canal to Lucan Urban Greenway Phase 1a: Grange Castle to N4; and Fingal’s ramping up of construction on the Broadmeadow Estuary Greenway.
Outside of Dubin, projects being funded include Cork City Councill’s Lehenaghmore Road Improvement Scheme; Limerick City and County Council’s Mary Immaculate College to City Centre Active Travel Scheme and Mary Immaculate College to City Centre Active Travel Scheme; Galway City’s Bothair Stiofain Active Travel Scheme; and Waterford’s Tramore Ring Road Active Travel Scheme.
Also detailed is separate funding from the NTA, such as upgrading of bus stops and bus priority measures, including the next phases of the Dublin City Centre Transport Plan.
The breakdown by council area can be found at nationaltransport.ie.
Commenting on the funding, Dave Tobin, deputy chair of the Irish Cycling Campaign, said: “The announcement of €294 million for active travel in 2025 is a welcome development, and we wish to thank the outgoing government for their commitment to active travel funding throughout their term. In particular, we acknowledge the efforts of Minister Eamon Ryan and Minister of State James Lawless for their leadership in delivering substantial investment in walking and cycling infrastructure.”
“As Programme for Government negotiations continue, it is vital that the next government builds on this progress by committing to a minimum of 10% of the transport budget for cycling as outlined in the Irish Cycling Campaign’s General Election 2024 Asks,” said Tobin.
“This investment is critical to delivering safer, high-quality cycling infrastructure for all communities – urban and rural alike. The European Cyclists’ Federation advises that 10% of transport budgets should be allocated to [both] walking and cycling to achieve meaningful modal shift and climate action goals. Ireland must aim to meet and exceed this benchmark to ensure we deliver a sustainable and active transport future,” he said.
He added: “Additionally, future funding must align with Ireland’s climate responsibilities under the Climate Action Plan, prioritising projects that enable sustainable mobility, reduce emissions, and promote public health. While this allocation is a positive step, consistent and increased investment in cycling is essential to achieve a safer, greener, and more liveable Ireland.”
For €2.2m DCC can sure install hundreds of zebra crossings across the city. Why do I get the feeling that the Executive will focus on 10 or 15 €100,000+a-pop signalised crossings. i.e.the same-ol-same-ol regardless of changes in the National Design Manual. It is bizarre to me that there are so few zebra crossings in DCC compared to other European cities which can be just as busy with motor traffic.
Just in, as per the Irish Times:
‘On roads, the Government will “invest in all road projects in the current National Development Plan and consider additional important road projects as part of the NDP review.” This will involve an increase in funding for new roads.
Distinct budgets will be established for road maintenance and new road construction starting in 2025.
On aviation, the government will “work with stakeholders to achieve our objective of lifting the passenger cap at Dublin airport as soon as possible.”’
Nothing about pedestrian or cycling. Clearly vulnerable road users are bottom of the list for the new regional alliance. Except – oh! look at this! – a ‘ “transport security force” under the National Transport Authority, which would operate and have similar powers to the Airport Police and Customs officers.’ Guess who’s not going to be handing out more speeding fines?