€13.5m investment in 30 Meath Active Travel schemes

Over €13.5million will be invested in 30 Active Travel Schemes in Meath this year, Ministers Eamon Ryan and Jack Chambers announced last week.

The Meath funding is part of €290 million allocated to local authorities across Ireland to support the rollout of walking and cycling infrastructure in 2024.

Among the Active Travel projects receiving funding in Meath are the Frederick Street to Ballybin Road in Ashbourne scheme which will receive €2,400,000, while €4,100,000 is being made available for the Proudstown Road to Trim Road scheme in Navan.

A further €850,000 has been allocated to various cycle routes around Navan.

€1.2million has been allocated for the Ratoath Town Network and € 500,000 has been allocated for the R161 Navan to Trim Cycle Scheme Active Travel Pathfinder.

A sum of €100,000 has been allocated towards the pedestrianisation of Trimgate Street, €200,000 will go to Navan Town Centre Traffic Management and the Navan 2030 Scheme is to receive €1,275,000.

Cycling facilities on the Eastham Road in Bettystown are to receive €300,000, while the Donacarney Footpath and Cycleway will receive €200,000. A total of €200,000 has been allocated to the Dunboyne Cycle Scheme.

The Newtown Road in Trim and a pedestrian crossing and junction upgrade at Tara na Ri are to receive €50,000 each, €30,000 has been allocated for cycle parking infrastructure and €840,000 has been allocated to Active Travel Staff Costs.

This latest allocation also includes €600,000 for Safe routes to School schemes around the county.

Minister Eamon Ryan said a key commitment for Government has been the “dedication to making walking, cycling and wheeling safer and much more accessible throughout the country.”

“It’s great that this year we will hit the €1billion investment mark. We are seeing the impact of this continued and substantial investment in our towns, villages and cities, where we are delivering large and small scale projects that are transforming where we live, making them much more attractive, safer and healthier.

“Many of the most attractive cities and towns in the world are the ones that prioritise active travel and now many more locations here in Ireland can join this list of great places to live and visit.”

Minister Chambers said: “I am delighted to announce that funding of €20 million has been allocated to the Safe Routes to School Programme, providing safer cycling and walking facilities for many schools across the country.