Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) announced the funding allocation for local authorities next year, with €60 million pledged to support around 40 Greenway projects across the country.
Significant greenway investment is being directed at the border counties; Donegal is progressing a number of Greenways and Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim and Louth are also receiving investment that will see an expansion of cross-border Greenways. Many local authorities are now working together to progress projects in their region. Cork and Waterford are developing a Mallow to Dungarvan route, and Sligo, Cavan and Leitrim are working with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council to develop the Collooney to Enniskillen route.
Discussing the greenway funding, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said: "This funding will also support extensions of the Grand Canal Greenway in Offaly, Kildare and South Dublin, link the North Kerry Greenway to the Limerick Greenway, and join the Waterford to New Ross Greenway with the Waterford Greenway. We are moving into a new and exciting phase when more and more Greenways are being connected, with TII also developing a National Cycle Network."
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A total of €616m of Exchequer funds have been provided for national roads through TII to local authorities in 2022. The 2022 funding allocations are made having regard for the National Development Plan 2021-2030 (NDP), which balances investment in transport against other priorities of Government on housing and health over the lifetime of the Plan.
Minister Ryan commented: "Today's allocations are an important step in a pathway of planned investment in our national road network over the coming decade. A priority for the Government is to advance safe, clean, liveable towns and communities. This investment will help to take heavy traffic out of our main streets, giving towns back to residents and shoppers. It will also provide scope for greater Active Travel options (walking and cycling) in town centres. Reduced traffic volumes will allow for 'compact growth' in town centres, providing possibilities for residential development. For that reason, we will see a renewed focus on supporting local by-passes."
Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton T.D. added: "These allocations will allow us to build on the large-scale road investment that has taken place over the last 20 years which has helped improve regional connectivity. As a result, our first priority should be to protect our existing national roads, ensuring that they are in a safe and robust condition for all road users. Over the lifetime of the NDP, €2.9 billion has been earmarked for this purpose.
"As part of the NDP, Government has also earmarked €5.1 billion for spending on new national roads projects until 2030. While the greater portion of this funding will become available during the second half of the decade, many projects will continue to be advanced. A large majority of projects under the NDP have been issued with a funding allocation for 2022. While some projects may not be considered for appraisal until 2023 or beyond, no projects have been ruled out."
