Funding of €13,886,500 has been allocated to Waterford City and County Council for walking and cycling facilities which will greatly benefit commuters and leisure seekers alike, a Fine Gael Senator has said.
Senator Cummins said the funding from the National Transport Authority announced today will provide high quality facilities for cyclists and walkers across the country, which is particularly welcome during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Senator Cummins said, “I am delighted that Waterford City and County Council has been awarded this very significant funding today which is aimed at supporting sustainable transport projects across the country. Included in this year’s allocation is the first tranches of NTA money towards the North Quays infrastructure, the greenway extension into the city and significant sums of money towards active travel plans for the Comeragh and wider Dungarvan and Lismore areas.
“Covid-19 has given many of us a newfound appreciation of outdoor spaces so funding which enhances those amenities in Waterford is much welcome. The funding will be used for a range of works such as road improvements which include segregated cycling lanes and widened footpaths, pedestrian crossings, upgrades to existing cycle schemes and other improvements to outdoor spaces. I am sure these facilities will be much used by in their communities.
“The National Transport Authority will oversee and support these projects, with the state agency ensuring that they are age friendly, accessible and that optimal use can be achieved by people of all ages and abilities.
“The 2021 funding allocations have increased by over €130m compared to last year’s and will support an extra 233 new projects to the NTA’s investment programme in 2021. Additional allocations targeting rural towns and villages will be made in the coming weeks.
“I would like to thank Ministers Eamon Ryan and Hildegarde Naughton, for their work and commitment in bringing this funding to fruition today,” Senator Cummins concluded.
Announcing the funding, Minister Naughton said, “Over the last number of months Government has funded local authorities across the country to re-orientate road-space toward our pedestrians and cyclists. Today’s announcement, which builds on from our recent progress across towns and villages nationwide, is underpinned by our commitment to invest almost €1 million per day in walking and cycling infrastructure in 2021.
“Today’s announcement will also contribute greatly towards achieving Safe Routes to School, be it walking, cycling, or scooting, for our children in their daily commute to the classroom when schools reopen.”
