The people of Cork County will benefit from a recent funding allocation of €22,460,000 allocated to Cork County Council for walking and cycling projects, according to North Cork Fine Gael Councillor john Paul O’Shea.
Councillor O’Shea said the funding from the National Transport Authority will deliver high quality upgrades to walking and cycling infrastructure, with sustainable transport modes vital as we emerge from the Covid pandemic. “I am pleased that Cork County Council has been awarded this funding which is part of an overall total of €289 million for approximately 1,200 Active Travel projects across the country. Ensuring we have a good and effective active travel system in Cork County is essential for the future as we aim to make our communities and town centres more vibrant, in addition to making commuting to work and school safer and easier.
Cllr. O’Shea added “Over the past two years, we have spent more time enjoying our outdoor amenities and investing in active travel will also help us to meet our climate change obligations. Projects approved and funding amounts allocated for some projects in North Cork include:
· Kanturk Town Square – €10,000 for new footpath work in advance of new library opening shortly.
· Charleville Town – €90,000 – New pedestrian crossing and all associated works in linking town to Town Park
· Railway Road, Charleville – €90,000 – Upgrade to Railway Road in Charleville
· New Line, Charleville – €18,500 – Replacement footpath works in Newline, Charleville
· Kilmallock Road, Charleville – €31,000 – Replacement and renewal of footpaths on R515
· Newtownshandrum Village – €30,000 – Renewal of footpaths and set down area for Local Link Bus
· Bweeng Village – €60,000 – Re-align junction, renewal of footpath and pedestrian crossing on R619
· Milford Village – €22,000 – Renewal of footpaths throughout village
Cllr. O’Shea concluded by saying“ There has been substantial progress in the North Cork area over the last number of years. Further amendments are also expected to the Road Traffic and Roads Bill in the coming weeks, which will help our local authorities progress experimental traffic management schemes and other measures which will fast track active travel infrastructure. I would like to thank Ministers Eamon Ryan and Hildegarde Naughton, for their continued work and commitment in making this funding available for vital outdoor infrastructure.”
Announcing the funding, Minister Naughton said, “Over 1,200 projects across the length and breadth of the country are set to receive targeted funding towards making walking and cycling in our villages, towns and cities safe and sustainable. As we continue to meet our commitment of spending almost €1 million on walking and cycling projects each day, I am particularly happy to confirm that the schools participating in Phase 1 of our new Safe Routes to School Programme will also benefit. With 170 schools currently progressing plans customised to their specific needs and challenges, the Safe Routes to School Programme is delivering infrastructure on the route to and in front of our schools making it easier for children, parents and teachers to safely walk, cycle and scoot to school every day.”
