Rural Kilkenny being “punished” by lack of Active Travel funding

It was great that funding of more than €3million was awarded to Kilkenny under Active Travel funding, but the small amount granted to projects outside the city is causing one local councillor “serious concerns.”

Cllr Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere raised his concerns at the recent meeting of Callan Thomastown municipal councillors.

He said while he did not begrudge the funding that went to the other projects, as they are deserving, some funding should be shared among the major projects in other towns and villages across the county.
“Taking away Callan, a lot of the money seems to be city centre oriented, it doesn’t seem fair,” he said.
Active Travel funding was allocated to the Bridge Street project in Callan.

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“€3.1million for Kilkenny is fantastic, but rural towns and villages haven’t been looked after.”
He said “some brilliant plans” were submitted but not successful. “I propose we write to the minister and ask “why, if we are living in rural Kilkenny, are we being punished?”

“They want everybody to walk or cycle, unless they’re in a town or village,” Cllr Deirdre Cullen said seemed to be message coming from government this time.
Citing a village like Kells, where tourism is endorsed, Cllr Cullen said there is little or no pedestrian or cycling infrastructure yet visitors are encouraged and flock in.

She said there needs to be more input from the local authority for balanced distribution.
“It’s a pity,” Cllr Cullen added.

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Area Engineer, Declan Murphy, said it was ultimately the National Transport Authority who decide what projects put forward for Active Travel funding are successful.