Edenderry the big winner in €3.5m active travel funding for Offaly
The north Offaly town of Edenderry is to receive funding totalling €850,000 for a range of active travel measures under a new round of the allocations by the Department of Transport and the National Transport Authority this week.
The funding for Edenderry includes €350,000 for active travel elements across the town; €325,000 for the Edenderry Harbour & Grand Canal Link; €100,000 for an upgrade of the R402-1 Junction and €80,000 for the design of Safe Routes to Schools cycle links.
In addition to the funding which is to be allocated to Offaly County Council to support the rollout of walking and cycling infrastructure across the county, Offaly will also benefit from an additional funding allocation of half a million euro which is to be used specifically for a Bus Stop Enhancement Programme to encourage greater use of public transport.
Among the other main allocations was €322,000 for Phase One of the Tullamore Cycle Network, while a further €85,000 has been earmarked for the implementation of the town's transport plan. The Spollenstown Road Active Travel Scheme in Tullamore will benefit to the tune of €168,000 while a further €125,000 has been allocated to the Tullamore Urban Greenway Project.
In addition to the allocation of funding for the design of Safe Route to School (SRTS) links in Edenderry, Banagher is to receive €5,500 for a similar project.
Funding has also been allocated to Birr and Crinkill (€29,160) for active travel footpath improvements, while similar measures in Cloghan will benefit from €300,000 in funding.
Upgrade works to the popular Riverside Walk in Birr are to the funded to the tune of €119,340 and among the other areas to receive funding for a suite of active travel measures are Ballycumber; Shinrone, Rhode and Cox's Bridges on the R443-2 Clara Road in Tullamore which is to receive €190.000 for improvement works.
In welcoming the latest round of active travel funding for Offaly, Green Party Minister for State Pippa Hackett said the improved cycle, walking and bus stop “safety and comfort” across the county is “one of the most visible signs of Green Party participation in government.”
“This year funding for Offaly of €3m will allow for many projects, already started to be progressed and expanded, particularly projects like the riverside walk in Birr and the Tullamore Transport Plan” she added. In welcoming the funding announcement, local Green Party Cllr, Mark Hackett said he had requested that funding be made available for bus shelters in Daingean, and added that he receives “many requests” from communities across Offaly for new paths and increased traffic calming to improve the safety of pedestrians.
“I believe people want to walk or cycle short journeys but they want to feel safe and feel that their children are safe. I also believe we are seeing the investment pay off in the many improvements in our towns and villages” he said. Cllr Hackett described the funding allocation of €850,000 for active travel measures in Edenderry as “transformative for the town and especially now that the Library and Arts Space is also progressing.”