€290 million in funding has been announced for local authorities across Ireland to support the rollout of walking and cycling infrastructure in 2024.
Laois has received just 1% of that, and will have to divide the €3 million allocation across 16 individual projects.
Portlaoise received over half of the €3m, while there was also funds allocated to Mountmellick, Portarlington and Camross.
The full breakdown of the funding is as follows:
Portlaoise – €1.715 million
- Triogue Way, Portlaoise – Phase 2 – Parklands – €750,000
- Active Travel Scheme, Borris Rd, Portlaoise – €400,000
- Rapid Deployment – Mountrath Rd, Portlaoise – €300,000
- Portlaoise Local Transport Plan – €75,000
- Triogue Way, Portlaoise – Phase 3 – Trogue way to N80 – €60,000
- Father Browne Avenue Cycle Scheme, Portlaoise – €50,000
- Active Travel Scheme, Dublin Road, Portlaoise – €50,000
- Park and Stride, Summerhill, Portlaoise – €30,000
Mountmellick – €350,000
- Active Travel, Permeability Scheme, Mountmellick – €300,000
- SRTS (Safe Route To School) – St Paul’s N.S., Mountmellick – €50,000
Portarlington – €205,000
- Active Travel Scheme, Station Road & Canal Road, Portarlington – €200,000
- Active Travel, Permeability Scheme, Portarlington – €5,000
Camross – €150,000
- SRTS (Safe Route To School) – Camross National School, Camross – €150,000
Cross-County – €580,000
- Active Travel Office – Staff Costs – €330,000
- Low Cost Junction Tightening / Pedestrian Crossing Schemes – €200,000
- Shared e-bike enabling works – €50,000
The announcement was made by Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD and Minister of State Jack Chambers TD joined National Transport Authority (NTA) Deputy CEO Hugh Creegan.
Laois TD and Minister for State at the Department of Finance, Sean Fleming, welcomed the news, saying:
“This is very welcome funding that will make our roads much safer for many walkers and cyclists, especially families and children walking or cycling to school or work, or for leisure every day.”
Rosie Palmer, Local Election Candidate in Portlaoise for the Green Party also welcomed the news, saying: “Make no mistake, this is the effect of Greens in Government.
“We are a Party dedicated to making walking, cycling and wheeling safer and much more accessible throughout the country.
“This funding is transforming where we live, making our communities much more attractive, safer and healthier.”
On top of the €3m, there was also and additional €500,000 allocated for the Bus Stop Enhancement Programme, of which Ms Palmer said:
“I know that these works, coupled with the improvements in frequency and additional routes that Greens in Government are also supporting, will see more and more people availing of public transport in our rural towns and villages.
“In my role as Local Election Candidate for Portlaoise, I recently received confirmation from the NTA that enabling works will commence before the summer at the eastbound stop at Kilminchy.
“This will join the newly erected, and much used, bus stop on the other side of the road.
“This will be of great assistance to those using the bus to get in and out of town as well as commuting onwards.
“Improved bus routes and infrastructure are a classic example of “if you build it, they will come” and that is evident across Laois with record levels using public transport in 2023.”
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