On the right road: €1.6 million to improve Kilkenny’s cycle paths and walkways

 A total of €1.6 million has been set aside to create, upgrade and improve cycleways and footpaths all around county Kilkenny.

The funding has been made available as part of the  Active Travel and Climate Change Adaptation scheme as part of a €38 million investment in sustainable travel.

As part of the funding, €1,227,000 is being invested across 28 Active Travel Measures projects in the county. 

While €373,000 is being made available for climate change adaptation measures under the Department’s regional and local road maintenance and renewal grant programme.  Ten projects in all are being funded

Kilkenny TD John Paul Phelan said the funding has been made available under the Government’s July Jobs Stimulus Plan and is part of a larger   €115 million package for sustainable transport and the renewal of our transport infrastructure.

Deputy Phelan said: “The Active Travel grant scheme is a very positive initiative which will see communities across Kilkenny benefiting from improved and more accessible walking and cycling infrastructure as well as stimulating local employment.

 “The projects included in the scheme include major investments such as €500,000 for improvements on Ormonde Street in the heart of Kilkenny city to €20,000 for a crossing in Freshford village and they can make a real difference to people.

 “The recent severe weather has again highlighted the challenges presented by climate change on our road infrastructure. The Climate Change Adaptation grants now being provided will help Kilkenny County Council to deal with the essential repairs needed in the aftermath of the severe weather but also to take steps towards making their road networks more resilient in the longer term,” Deputy Phelan concluded.