€24 million in funding has been allocated to cycling and walking infrastructure across Waterford City and County.
It's part of €289 million to be made available to local authorities under funding from the National Transport Authority, which will see approximately 1,200 walking and cycling projects developed across the country
In terms of how the funding will be spent locally, Tramore Green Party TD Marc Ó Cathasaigh told WLR News he had a detailed meeting with Waterford Council to discuss this: Approximately €11.5 million will be spent on the North Quays, and connecting that part of the city to Bilberry with a sustainable transport bridge and enabling infrastructure in Ferrybank and along the Dock Road.
Deputy Ó Cathasaigh went on to say that work is also planned for the Tramore Ring Road to make it more suitable for cyclists, and the Tramore Greenway extension will move to design phase. "It's a mixture of upgrading existing provisions and adding to it as well."
In terms of the west of the county, €3.5 million will go towards the Active Travel Plan in the Dungarvan and Lismore area. Included in the plans are the upgrade of footpaths, and making routes around schools safer.
Deputy Ó Cathasaigh said “this is a very significant investment in active travel across both Waterford city and county. A significant amount is being spent on enabling works around the North Quays and the sustainable transport bridge but there is also a focus around key transport corridors like the Dunmore Road and Williamstown Rd. The Comeragh region and West Waterford are also receiving significant funding for their active travel plans. On a personal level, I’m especially pleased to see design funding put in place for the Tramore Greenway connection and for an active travel corridor on the Tramore ring road.”
Anne Graham, CEO of the NTA said: "It’s great to be in position once again this year to make such a substantial investment in infrastructure for active travel. More people than ever want to cycle and walk as part of their daily journey, and it is incumbent on us to encourage them to precisely do that, so they can leave the car behind."
More here on the latest WLR News
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