The Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Councillor Dara Mulvey has welcomed the announcement by the National Transport Authority (NTA) of €2.6 million in funding for cycling and walking infrastructure in County Sligo.
Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Funding
€2.6m funding for Sligo’s cycling and walking infrastructure
The funding is allocated under the Active Travel Investment Programme 2021. This is Year 1 of a 5-year Active Travel Investment Programme, which will be transformative in the area of sustainable transport and significantly increase the modal shift towards walking and cycling our City, towns and villages.
Major investment
According to the Cathaoirleach Councillor Dara Mulvey
‘This announcement is great news for this Authority and the people of Sligo. Taken with the funding announced recently under the URDF Programme, we have seen an investment in the region of €50 million in our county this month, which will provide a much-needed economic boost and stimulus for job creation for Sligo – for both town and county. This latest funding will be welcomed by local communities and will enable us to enhance our cycling and walking amenities’
Cycle Strategy for Sligo
The funding includes the preparation of a Local Transportation Plan for Sligo City and Environs along with the preparation of a Cycle Strategy for Sligo City and County. This is very significant as it will provide a comprehensive framework for the implementation of cycling and walking infrastructure throughout Sligo going forward. It includes for a review of all existing cycling infrastructure, including cycle parking, and will enable upgrades to take place as appropriate.
Funding for footpaths
The funding includes a total of €1.2 million for footpaths - €800,000 for new footpaths, spread over a wide geographical area of Sligo City and county including: Strandhill, Grange, Carney, Ballygawley, Ballintogher, Coolaney, Rockfield, Collooney, Ballinafad, Carraroe, Enniscrone, Geevagh, Tubbercurry and Sligo City, and €400,000 for improvements to existing footpaths in Sligo City.
A very welcome €100,000 has been allocated to the Markievicz Footbridge Project, to bring this Scheme through the An Bord Pleanála Planning Process. This is on top of €400,000 for walking/cycling schemes and €300,000 for junction interventions including pedestrian crossings.
Schools Programme
Funding of €100,000 for support infrastructure for the ‘Safe Routes to Schools Programme’ is particularly welcome as it is designed to encourage as many pupils and students as possible in primary and post-primary schools to walk and cycle.
Sligo County Council will be seeking additional staff resources to deliver this comprehensive Active Travel Investment Programme in 2021 and through to its completion over the next 5 years.