Massive funding announced to transform walking and cycling in Kilkenny

Funding of €508,00 for new pedestrian and cycle link in Kilkenny City linking to the Western Environs, and funding of €400,000 for ambitious renovation plans for Bridge Street in Callan, have been announced this morning (Wednesday).

Several more projects to improve pedestrian and cycling links around the county have also been included in a €3.12 million investment in cycling and walking infrastructure across Kilkenny city and county.

The funding was announced by Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD in association with the National Transport Authority (NTA) as part of national spending of €290m.

Funding for the projects has been welcomed by Minister of State Malcolm Noonan and Fine Gael TD, John Paul Phelan.

Locally, among the larger investments in Kilkenny are:

·       €508,000 investment from Coote’s Lane to the Ring Road in Kilkenny city;

·       €400,000 for Bridge Street in Callan;

·       €106,000 for Greens Bridge in Kilkenny city;

·       Improvements around schools, including €80,000 each for Loreto Secondary School and St Patrick’s De la Salle and €20,000 each for St Patrick’s De la Salle, Duiske College, Graignamanagh Boys National School and Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal. 

Minister of State Malcolm Noonan said the investment  is set to transform the experience of walking, wheeling or cycling around Kilkenny, making it a safer and more appealing option for more people.

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“I’m thrilled to see such a significant investment this year in measures that will make it safer, easier and more enjoyable for people to get around our city and county on foot, on bike, scooting or wheeling.

“It’s important to note too that these projects won’t just encourage a switch to more active modes of travel, they will also improve our public realm. In this allocation we’re seeing €50,000 for public lighting improvements, along with footpath improvements, increased permeability, and a reallocation of road space to improve the experience of pedestrians.”

Included in the overall allocation is over €200,000 for staffing costs associated with rolling out an improved walking and cycling network and €528,000 for rapid deployment measures in Kilkenny City.

“This substantial investment will fund approximately 1,200 Active Travel projects, contributing to the development of almost 1,000km of new and improved walking and cycling infrastructure across the country by 2025,” Deputy Phelan said. This includes the development of segregated cycle lanes and widened footpaths, new walking and cycling bridges, and new pedestrian crossings.  

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Deputy John Paul Phelan said these projects will provide safer ways to children to get to school. “As a key part of this announcement, Active Travel funding will ensure that the Safe Routes to School programme will continue to provide for safer cycling and walking facilities for many more schools across the country. Construction is expected on dozens of front of school treatments throughout 2023,” Deputy Phelan said.

Green Party Councillor for Kilkenny City, Maria Dollard also welcomed the funding announcement, saying: “This level of investment in footpaths, lighting, and cycling routes, all geared towards helping people make the shift to walking and cycling some of their journeys, will be absolutely transformative for Kilkenny. Spending on cycle lanes and footpaths has increased more than six-fold since the Green Party entered government. That’s the sort of change voters asked for and we are delivering on our promise, and this funding support helps us to drive that change at local level too.”

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Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD said: “Continuous and substantial funding for active travel across the country is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and a cornerstone of our transport strategies. Last year, all of the money allocated was drawn down by local authorities and I am confident that the same will happen this year. 

"This will mean that communities across the country will be better connected with safe and people-friendly corridors to visit friends, go to the shops, or cycle or walk to school, sports training or other activities.”