€5.3m Active Travel funding for Clare projects

A TOTAL of €5.3million in Active Travel funding has been allocated to Clare County Council to enhance walking and cycling infrastructure in 2022.

The money is to be dispersed to projects across the county, with almost €1.5million earmarked for Ennis projects.

Communities in the west and north of the county will also see considerable investment under this round of funding.

Welcoming the announcement of the €5,298,000 NTA funding, Clare Green Party Senator Róisín Garvey said, “Having worked on active travel with schools and communities all across Clare for 14 years, it is great to see Clare County Council receiving the funding they have badly needed to make our county a more walking and cycling friendly County, thanks to the commitment of Minister Eamon Ryan and myself to the same.

“Active travel benefits us mentally and physically. It helps connect communities, provide alternatives for people who don’t drive, reduce air pollution and dependence on cars and reconnect the very fabric of society, long broken due to over dependence on cars.”

Projects funded include: Pedestrian / Cycle Bridge Package – Quinn, Creegh, Doonbeg, Cooraclare, Carrigaholt, Inagh – €230,000; Cycle Schemes – Ennis – €75,000; Footpath Package A – Ennis – €370,000; Footpath Package B – Doonbeg, Kilmihil, Cross, Labasheeda, Connolly, Quilty, Carrigaholt, Kilrush, Meelick, Kilbaha, Kilmurry Village, Sixmilebridge, Kildysart, Kilmaley, Kilkee – €590,000; Miltown Malbay Footpaths – €150,000; Ennistymon/Lahinch Footpath Improvements and Public Lighting – €64,000; Doolin Footpaths and Pedestrian Crossing – €50,000; Spanish Point Connectivity – €215,000; Ballycasey Close Green Area – Shannon Footpaths – €200,000; Shannon Banks River Walk – €5,000; Killaloe Footpaths – €120,000; Pedestrian Crossings – Lisdoonvarna –
€100,000; Public Lighting – Ennis – €140,000; Drumindoora Walking/Cycling Infrastructure – €200,000; Kilrush Walking/Cycling Infrastructure 1 – €10,000; Lahinch Cycle Lane – €10,000; Ennis Town ABTA/Mobility Plan and Shannon Town Mobility Plan – €150,000; Quin Village Footpaths – €175,000; Kilrush Walking / Cycling Infrastructure 2 – €89,000; Tulla Footpaths – €575,000; Lissycasey Footpaths – €250,000; Ennis Town Enhancement, Co-Creating – €500,000; Safe to Schools Programme – Support Infrastructure – €210,000; Low Cost Junction Tightening/Pedestrian Crossing Schemes – €60,000; Light Segregation Cycle Schemes – €75,000; Low-Cost Permeability Measures – €50,000; Additional Outdoor Infrastructure – €50,000; Ennis N85 Cycle Facilities – €100,000; Design of new cycling/walking connectivity in Ennis – €75,000; Ardnacrusha to Athlunkard Bridge – €100,000; Ennis Park & Stride – €100,000; Clare County Council Active Travel Office – Staff Costs – €160,000; Cycle Parking – €50,000

Senator Garvey concluded, “I am delighted to have worked hard on securing funding for active travel funding for Clare. It is great to see both rural and urban areas benefitting from the funding.”