Over €10million allocated to Active Travel schemes in Kildare

Minister of State and TD for Kildare South Martin Heydon has confirmed over €10m in funding has been allocated to Kildare to support active travel across the county.

A total of 23 projects will receive funding including the Royal Canal Greenway and six Safe Route to School programmes for schools in Newbridge, Kilkea, Clane, Prosperous, Straffan and Celbridge. €200,000 has also be earmarked for work on an active travel scheme for Monasterevin, while amounts of €35,000 and €40,000 are allocated for active travel in Newbridge including Station Road.

Minister Heydon said: “Active travel schemes bring significant benefits to local areas helping to connect communities and improve people’s quality of life. By investing in walkways and cycleways we create safe corridors for people to visit friends and family and get to local shops, schools, and amenities.

“The previous Government committed to furthering investment in active travel. Previous year’s have seen all of the money allocated to local authorities drawn down and I am confident Kildare County Council will do the same this year.

“We have some excellent examples of active travel schemes here in Kildare and I look forward to seeing them develop further along with expanding infrastructure to more parts of the county.”

In total the National Transport Authority (NTA) has allocated a total of €294m to Ireland’s local authorities to invest in walking and cycling infrastructure in 2025.

The Active Travel projects that will be funded include the development of segregated cycle lanes and widened footpaths, new walking and cycling bridges, and new pedestrian crossings, ensuring it is easier but also safer to cycle and walk within our communities.