For immediate release
Tuesday, 29th of March, 2021
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The Kerry Cycling Campaign welcomes the recent funding programmes from central government to support the development of active travel routes in County Kerry.
On the 29th of March, 2021, funding of €5.6 million euro to support the development of active travel network plans, cycleways and upgraded footpaths in County Kerry was announced by Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD.
Speaking on behalf of the Kerry Cycling Campaign, Anluan Dunne said: “we have consulted with the council, TII roads design office and local representatives in the past few months to ensure these projects were both proposed and applied for. It is brilliant to now see the projects receive the financial support needed to have them implemented. Most importantly, the development of active travel network plans for Tralee, Killarney and Listowel is key to enabling people to choose walking or cycling for day to day activities like shopping, going to school or commuting to work.”
The announcement by the National Transport Authority is the first ever major active travel investment programme specifically targeted at Rural Ireland. In total, the fund is over €72 million euro across the country – far in excess of the original €50 million announced earlier this year. The NTA stated that the volume of project proposals made by local authorities meant that the scheme had to be expanded.
Anluan Dunne continued: “following on from the ambitious plans for the Killarney Town cycle lanes, we want to see this money spent immediately and on high quality, well designed changes to our roads and streets. Funding for cycling infrastructure is clearly no longer an obstacle and we need to ensure that the network plans in particular are drawn up quickly and by consultancies who have a track record in delivering the type transformative projects our towns sorely need”.
The Kerry Cycling Campaign was a core contributor to the Cyclist.ie, Irish Cycling Advocacy Network: A Vision for Cycling in Rural Ireland. The vision document contains eight statements on what is needed, in a rural context, to deliver safe cycling. Vision statements one, two and three must be specifically addressed through this programme of funding:
1: Create an environment in our cities, towns, villages and rural roads where CYCLISTS ARE EXPECTED AND RESPECTED
2: Create and map a network of useful, CONNECTED CYCLE ROUTES throughout Local Authority Areas
3: Implement BEST PRACTICE DESIGN to ensure routes are safe and comfortable for cyclists of all ages and abilities
In conclusion, Anluan Dunne said: “while we warmly welcome the number of projects being funded, we need to see wider distribution of projects across the county. A cycle network plan is needed for Kenmare, Killorglin, Milltown, Dingle and every other town and village in the county. Every council municipal district should have a well developed list of projects which they want to see funded. The money is being provided and we must see ambition from all corners of our county.“
The Kerry Cycling Campaign continues to be available to consult on all aspects of the above programme with Kerry County Council, the NTA, TII or private firms.
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References
Cyclist.ie: A Vision for Cycling in Rural Ireland
https://cyclist.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/FINAL-Vision-for-Cycling-in-Rural-Ireland-Sep-20.pdf
NTA Press Release
Kerry Cycling Campaign
Kerry Cycling Campaign is a voluntary membership group who wants a cycling-friendly Kerry for people of all ages and abilities. We are a member of Cyclist.ie, the Irish Cycling Advocacy Network.
| www.kerrycyclingcampaign.org | www.cyclist.ie |
| info@kerrycyclingcampaign.org | cyclist.ie@gmail.com |
| @kerrycyclingcam | @cyclistie |