€21 million has been allocated by the National Transport Authority (NTA) to 51 Limerick City and County Council projects for public transport and walking and cycling infrastructure.
Almost €5 million was allocated for Active Travel improvements in towns and villages as well as €300,000 for 14 schools under the Safe Routes to School Scheme.
Limerick City Fine Gael TD and Minister of State at the Department of Local Government, Kieran O’Donnell said the projects will enable more people to walk and cycle, improving the quality of life, the fabric of Limerick City, and its environs while contributing to carbon emissions reduction.
In 2021 Limerick City and County Council got an allocation of €17 million for cycle lanes and footpaths. That increased to €24 million in 2022 and this year 51 projects were approved at a combined value of €21 million.
Green Party TD Brian Leddin said infrastructure developments, such as cycle lanes and footpaths make it easier for children to cycle to school without being driven. It makes it safer to walk to your local shop and it means we will all spend less time stuck in traffic jams,” Deputy Leddin added.
Saša Novak, Green Party councillor for City North, also welcomed the announcement, saying: “I was delighted to propose the TUS to city centre active travel scheme at our meeting last December. It’s a scheme that’s been almost ten years in the making and this year the funding is there for it too.”
