€14m in ‘active travel’ funding for Meath routes

The National Transport Authority has announced over €14million in active travel grants for Meath, with almost €7.5m earmarked for the Navan area.

A total of €3m has been allocated for the Navan 2030 Kennedy Plaza Enabling Works, €1m for the Proudstown Road to Trim Road cycle scheme add €1m for the LDR N51 to Ratholdron Road scheme.

A total of €2.5m has been allocates for the Frederick Street to Ballybin Road scheme in Ashbourne, while €1m has been allocated to the Ratoath town cycle scheme.

Other projects to receive funding include €400,000 for the lanes off Church Hill in Navan and funding for cycle schemes from Circular road to St Martha's Bridge in Navan, from Poolboy Bridge to Blackwater Park and from the Fairgreen to Johnstown.

The Flowerhill Pedestrian and Cycle Scheme in Navan, the Johnstown Village cycle scheme and the Academy Street Pedestrian Enhancement scheme are also receiving funding.

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Bus infrastructure and cycle parking around the county as well as cycle schemes in Dunboyne, Laytown, Donacarney, and Bettystown as well as cycling facilities at schools around the county are also to receive funding while the Newtown Road Trim walking facility is to receive €160,000.

The Mayor Navan, Cllr Eddie Fennessy said it was great news for Navan.

"€7.5m is a lot of money and will be well spent by Meath Co Council. I'm particularly pleased to see sections of the Navan cycle scheme included. Works to complete that network is starting to gather pace, which is great news for local cyclists.

"The centre of town is also well served, almost half of Navan's allocation will be used to complete the Kennedy Road section of the 2030 scheme and also to improve connectivity and pedestrian safety by upgrading Old Cornmarket and Bakery Lane.

"It's an exciting time to be involved in local politics in Navan. There are a lot of important infrastructural projects underway that will transform and modernise the town over the coming years."

Cllr Yemi Adenuga said it was really delightful to see Meath high up there in the allocations, "as Meath is always at the bottom of the ranks when it comes to funding allocations."

"Over the last few years, I have been working closely with Navan Cycling Initiative on motions and programs that will help make Navan become a safe, cycling and family friendly town. This funding, which includes allocations for ongoing schemes and some new ones, will hopefully lead us in that direction quickly.

"I feel strongly though, that the funding allocations should come with clear guidelines for how Section 38 of the Roads Act 1994 should be used by Local Authorities, as I believe this would help local authorities put their allocations to best use and accelerate cycling and walking projects. Councils should be able to use Section 38 along with interim measures, instead of Part 8, to progress active travel projects.

Take Navan for example, it will take the good part of 5 to 6 years to complete a 2.5km scheme on Trim Road, and you find other counties like Dublin City Council completing bigger and longer schemes in months.

"Overall, I am delighted to see Meath receive a good portion of the funding, and I look forward to seeing the active travel team explore opportunities to progress active travel schemes quickly. "

Senator Shane Cassells welcomed the funding. "It is a real boost for the centre of Navan. There is €7.5m to enhance and strengthen the town entre and bring it back to life.

"We have already seen improvements being made and this will have a huge impact," he said.

The Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council, Cllr Nick Killian welcomed the funding and particularly the €1m or the Ratoath town cycle scheme.

"This is the first phase of the town centre project which as well as cycle and pedestrian lanes, will include traffic speed tables throughout the village and at Ratoath National School on the Fairyhouse Road."

He said that work would be starting on the first phase at Easter and he hopes that prioritisation would be given to the crossroad at the centre of the village.