More than €60m to expand and improve greenways

Over €63 million has been allocated to improving and expanding greenways around the country next year.

The Midleton-Youghal Greenway in Cork will receive €10 million with €9 million allocated to the Waterford-New Ross Greenway.

Funding will also go towards extending the Grand Canal Greenway in Co Offaly from Daingean to Edenderry.

A new greenway bridge is to be constructed across the River Shannon in Athlone as part of the Galway to Dublin Greenway.

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An expansion of the Great Western Way in Mayo will receive €5.15 million while the Blessington Loop in Wicklow will receive €6.4 million.

The funding will also help support the refurbishment of the Longford Canal cycleway and the Great Southern Greenway in Co Limerick.

The Tralee Fenit Greenway in Co Kerry will receive €3.4 million while the Aylmer Bridge to Sallins route in Co Kildare will receive €2.9 million.

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said the funding was the highest allocated to greenways within one year.

“Indeed, it nearly equals the total amount originally allocated for the 4 years 2018-2021 (€53 million) and shows the commitment of this Government to providing a step-change in the way in which we fund walking and cycling,” he said.

Minister of State for Road Transport Hildegarde Naughton said the allocations will "go a long way in delivering a safe and sustainable environment for active travel in our villages, towns and cities".

"We are also supporting the roll-out of a new Safe Routes to School Initiative. This programme will seek to accelerate the delivery of improved walking and cycling infrastructure to schools; enhance sustainable access onto school grounds; and expand the amount of cycle parking available at schools," she said.