Funding of €7,730,000 has been allocated to Kildare County Council for walking and cycling facilities which will greatly benefit commuters and leisure seekers alike, Minister Martin Heydon has said.
Minister Heydon 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.
Minister Haydon said, “I am delighted that Kildare County Council has been awarded funding which is part of an overall total of €240 million allocated to support 448 sustainable transport projects across the country.
These projects include but are not limited to the R445/R416 Junction Improvement and Newbridge Bus Priority, Royal Canal Greenway and Kildangan Bridge. The Safe to Schools Programme Support Infrastructure which will include Monasterevin and Craddockstown Road, will help achieve Safe Routes to School, be it walking, cycling, or scooting, for our children in their daily commute to the classroom when schools reopen.
“Covid-19 has given many of us a newfound appreciation of outdoor spaces so funding which enhances those amenities in Kildare South 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 we