Mayor of Ennis shows ‘wheel’ support for Active Travel funding announcement

THE Mayor of Ennis has described recently announced government funding for Active Travel Teams in local authorities as “crucial” and has urged Clare County Council to become a leader in improving walking and cycling infrastructure.
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD and Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton TD has announced funding for up to 248 new jobs in local authorities to expand walking and cycling facilities all over the country.
Councillor Paul Murphy at a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District had urged that specific funding be put in place for all local authorities to create the role of active and sustainable travel officers.
Reacting to the government announcement, Councillor Murphy said, “As a cycling and walking enthusiast, I am delighted with the government announcement as I believe that this funding is crucial in these times that we are currently living.”
“The importance of safe streets and roads has never been as important as it is now during the pandemic and it is vital that Clare County Council grasps this opportunity and becomes one of the leading counties in rolling out more infrastructure that enables people of all ages and abilities to be able to commute safely from A to B. This also comes at a time when people are interested in being able to let their children out on the roads in order to cycle to school, sporting facilities, shops and services. “The creation of these posts will accelerate the concept of 10-minute towns where all community facilities and services are accessible within a 10-minute walk or cycle from homes, or are accessible by public transport services connecting people to larger scaled settlements. Cutting down on air pollution, particularly in our larger urban centres has to be welcomed as it not only brings environmental benefit but health and community benefit also. I hope that all of the above is encouraged by improving our cycling and walking infrastructure and Clare County Council can embrace this funding by making Clare a great place to walk and cycle.”
The Programme for Government has already committed that €1.8bn will be spent on walking and cycling over the lifetime of the Government, and this initiative will ensure that the expertise will be available to improve infrastructure and increase participation by making facilities safer and more accessible.
As part of the plan developed by the National Transport Authority, up to 218 additional staff will be employed across the local authorities with an additional 30 proposed for Regional Cycling Design Offices. The new staff will be dedicated to delivering and promoting active travel in Ireland and will work across design, communication/community liaison and construction oversight functions. The new staff will support the delivery of almost 1,000 kilometres of improved walking and cycling infrastructure by 2025.