Waterford Senator John Cummins has welcomed the news that the government has allocated €9 million for the construction of the Waterford to New Ross Greenway which commenced work earlier this year. The welcome and timely allocation is part of a package of funding totalling €63.5m for Greenways nationally.
Senator Cummins said “the funding that has been allocated today for the New Ross to Waterford Greenway is hugely positive and will ensure that the project can be completed and open in Spring 2022. Work commenced on clearing the abandoned rail line in August and has continued at a pace despite the pandemic. This is a hugely exciting project that will ultimately link the towns of New Ross and Dungarvan via Waterford City.
In allocating the funding for a range of Greenways across the country; Minister Eamon Ryan, T.D. Minister of Transport, and Hildegarde Naughton, T.D Minister of State, said “The allocations of €63.5 million being made today will go a long way in delivering a safe and sustainable environment for active travel in our villages, towns and cities. This investment will support even greater numbers enjoying our outdoors by cycling and walking for school, work and leisure.”
“We are also supporting the roll-out of a new Safe Routes to School Initiative. This programme will seek to accelerate the delivery of improved walking and cycling infrastructure to schools; enhance sustainable access onto school grounds; and expand the amount of cycle parking available at schools. Underpinning this new initiative, we will see almost €1 million per day spent on our walking and cycling infrastructure in the year 2021.”
In concluding his statement Senator Cummins said “the government is hugely committed to delivering a national network of safe walking and cycling routes. 2021 is only the start and we will continue to build on this level of investment over the coming years. The cooperation between Waterford, Kilkenny and Wexford County Councils to deliver this extension to the award winning Waterford Greenway is fantastic and I have no doubt that it will only add to the growing tourism numbers that we are seeing here in our beautiful county”.