Sustainable Travel Projects Get Boost

Ireland's Public Transport Minister Alan Kelly has confirmed that €55 million will be spent on sustainable travel projects this year.

The Minister confirmed the figure as he announced the 34 projects being carried out in regional cities under the jobs initiative.

An additional €5 million will be spent on labour intensive sustainable travel projects such as road improvement works, pedestrian crossings cycle routes and more sophisticated traffic control systems. These projects will be commenced in Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford this year.

Speaking at the announcement, Minister Kelly said: "This funding is about creating jobs and making our transport system easier to use for cyclists and pedestrians thereby taking cars off the road and boosting our competitiveness

"The last census showed that over 200,000 of us drive less than 4 kilometres to work. To incentivise people to not use their cars, we have to make walkways, cycle paths and the road network more user-friendly. This money is doing this while at the same time creating jobs. We are investing in cycle networks in Cork and a City wide traffic control system in Galway which will help make traffic flow easier through our cities."

The Minister concluded: "This is part of our plan to re-balance the transport budget towards public transport. While we are in a very challenging period financially, it is important that we put what resources we do have into sustainable transport and making non-driving options more attractive."

Included among the 34 projects are €400,000 for new phase of Cork Cycle Network between Douglas and City Centre; €250,000 for a city-wide intelligent traffic control system within City Hall in Galway including traffic signs, CCTV cameras and variable message signs, €600,000 for advanced facilities for transport users and traffic calming measures for South Quays Green Route in Waterford and €150,000 for improvement of existing cycle facilities in Limerick

(GK/BMcC)