Just under €15 million in funding has been allocated for the development of active travel and greenways in Galway City and County this year.
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien announced that a total of €360 million in funding will be allocated for work on active travel and greenways in 2026.
Of this, Galway County Council has been allocated €4.46 million, while Galway City Council will receive €10 million.
This funding is meant for the development of walking and cycling projects that offer safe, sustainable and healthy transport options to communities around the country.
The Active and Sustainable Transport Investment Programme in the National Transport Authority (NTA) was allocated €290 million for the development of walking and cycling infrastructure in villages, towns and cities.
An additional €8 million is available to fund smaller-scale behavioural change and training programmes. These include CycleRight training in primary schools and the NTA’s Smarter Travel Workplaces and Campuses Programme.
The remaining €62 million has been allocated to deliver Greenway projects across Ireland, which is also expected to contribute to the national cycle network connecting towns and cities.
The government has said that it is expected that 200km of walking and cycling infrastructure will be delivered in 2026, in line with the target set out in the Climate Action Plan.
Minister of State and Galway TD Seán Canney said, “The continued expansion of our walking and cycling network through Greenway and active travel infrastructure is crucial in offering safe travel options to cyclists and pedestrians.”
“It also contributes to our progress towards Vision Zero, our road safety strategy which sets out to achieve zero road fatalities or serious injuries by 2050.”
“I particularly welcome the NTA’s planned investment this year in assessing locations of interest in relation to road safety, with a view to increasing collision prevention measures in such locations to protect our more vulnerable road users.”
Minister O’Brien said, “The allocation of €360 million in 2026 for active travel and greenway projects demonstrates the Government’s commitment to expanding sustainable transport options and delivering on the provision of safe and accessible walking and cycling infrastructure in both urban and rural areas.”
“The €290 million invested in the NTA’s Active and Sustainable Transport Investment Programme will assist with the development of key active travel networks in our villages, towns and cities, making walking and cycling a viable option for more of our population.”
“The investment of €62 million in our Greenways network, meanwhile, will help deliver key projects all over the country and is another step towards the development of a National Cycle Network.”
